Lions Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt dies at 92

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Joe Schmidt, the tough-nosed linebacker who led the Detroit Lions to two NFL titles and served as the team’s coach, has died. He was 92 years old.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the news Thursday afternoon, saying Schmidt died Wednesday in hospice care. The Lions issued a statement confirming the news.

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Joe Schmidt. Joe was a Lion through and through,” the team stated . “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Marilyn, and the entire Schmidt family as we all mourn his passing.”

The Pennsylvania native played college ball at the University of Pittsburgh before being selected by the Lions in the seventh round of the 1953 draft. He ended up playing 13 seasons in the NFL, all with Detroit, including two league titles (1953 and 1957).

Schmidt was a 10-time Pro Bowler and named first-team All-Pro eight times. After his playing career, he jumped immediately into coaching, serving as an assistant for one year before being named head coach in 1967. He was just 35 years old at the time.

Under Schmidt, the Lions went 43-34-7 over six seasons. They went to the playoffs once, losing to Dallas 5-0 in the 1970 NFC Divisional round.

Some of the NFL’s legendary players spoke highly of Schmidt. Packers fullback Paul Hornung called him the best linebacker in the league.

Said Cleveland running back Jim Brown: “When Schmidt latched onto you, that was the end of the play.”

Schmidt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. He was one of the inaugural members of the team’s ring of honor, the Pride of the Lions.

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