Joe Schmidt, Pro Football Hall of Famer and Lions legend, dead at 92

Detroit Lions legend Joe Schmidt died on Wednesday at 92 years old.

No cause of death was given.

Schmidt, a middle linebacker for Detroit after a college career at the University of Pittsburgh, played all 13 years (1953-65) of his professional football career in Detroit, leading the franchise to two NFL titles before coaching the team for six years (1967-72). 

“Joe Schmidt had the heart of a Lion, which made it appropriate that he was also the heart of our team,” Lions owner and chair emeritus Martha Firestone Ford said in a statement. “Joe was a key part of our Championship seasons and continued to be an important part of our organization until his passing.

“Joe made his home in Detroit and carried his success from the field into our community. I am saddened to hear of his passing, but I have nothing but fond memories of the person he was. I share my deepest condolences with Marilyn and his children.”

During his playing career, Schmidt was named to the Pro Bowl 10 times, and he made eight All-Pro teams before he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973. 

His 10 Pro Bowl appearances are tied for the most all-time by a Lions player in franchise history. 

Schmidt was named NFL Defensive MVP in both 1960 and 1963.

The Lions legend has been credited with being one of football’s first great middle linebackers, finsihing his career with 24 interceptions and 16 fumble recoveries.

“As you probably know, he was one of the first to play middle linebacker and by doing so I think he helped create the present 4-3 defense by eliminating the position of middle guard which was then a problem. He probably is one of the finest that has played middle linebacker nobody ever played it tougher. He was truly an innovator of the game of football,”  late Lions owner William Clay Ford said at Schmidt’s induction ceremony in 1973.

He started working as an assistant coach after he ended his pro career, later serving as head coach.

Schmidt went 43-35-7 at the helm of Detroit.