Joe Schmidt, a Corridor of Fame linebacker who helped the Detroit Lions to 2 NFL Championships within the Nineteen Fifties and later coached the group, has died. He was 92.
The Lions stated the household knowledgeable the group Schmidt died on Wednesday however didn’t launch the reason for loss of life.
“We’re saddened to listen to of the passing of Joe Schmidt. Joe was a Lion by means of and thru, having spent his whole profession in Detroit, together with 13 years as a linebacker and 6 seasons as our head coach,” the group stated in a press release. “He patrolled the center of our protection with such ferocity that he was named to 10 consecutive Professional Bowls from 1955 to 1964. Joe was an everlasting hyperlink to our Championship period and one of many proudest Lions you’ll ever meet.
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Detroit Lions head coach Joe Schmidt acknowledges the group after receiving a Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame ring throughout a ceremony at halftime of an NFL soccer recreation between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears on Oct. 18, 2015 in Detroit. (AP Picture/Jose Juarez, File)
“He was inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1973 and was an inaugural member of our group’s ring of honor, the Satisfaction of the Lions, which is able to guarantee his place in our historical past endlessly. Our ideas and prayers are together with his spouse, Marilyn, and all the Schmidt household as all of us mourn his passing.”
Martha Firestone Ford, the Lions group proprietor and chair emeritus, additionally launched a press release.
“Joe Schmidt had the center of a Lion, which made it applicable that he was additionally the center of our group. Joe was a key a part of our Championship seasons and continued to be an vital a part of our group till his passing,” she stated.
“Joe made his residence in Detroit and carried his success from the sector into our group. I’m saddened to listen to of his passing, however I’ve nothing however fond reminiscences of the individual he was. I share my deepest condolences with Marilyn and his youngsters.”
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Detroit Lions linebacker Joe Schmidt, #56, on the bench throughout the 1960 Professional Bowl on the Coliseum in Los Angeles on Jan. 17, 1960. (Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Schmidt was a standout linebacker at Pittsburgh earlier than the Lions chosen him within the seventh spherical of the 1953 draft. He was a Professional Bowl linebacker in 10 of his first 11 seasons. He was additionally a first-team All-Professional choice eight occasions and named to the All-Nineteen Fifties group.
He was part of the group that had one of many greatest NFL playoff comebacks. The Lions had been down 27-7 towards the San Francisco 49ers in 1957 and rallied to win 31-27. It was the most important comeback in NFL postseason historical past earlier than the Buffalo Payments surprised the Houston Oilers after being down by 32 factors in 1993.
“We simply determined to go after them, blitz them virtually each down,” he stated. “We had nothing to lose. Whenever you’re up towards it, you let each barrels fly.”
Schmidt recalled getting drafted in an interview with the Detroit Free Press in 2017.
“It was a dream of mine to play soccer,” he instructed the newspaper. “I had so many individuals inform me that I used to be too small. That I couldn’t play. I had so many unfavorable folks say unfavorable issues about me … that it makes you are feeling good inside. I stated, ‘OK, I’ll show it to you.’”
Schmidt had three complete touchdowns in his profession and 24 interceptions.
Linebacker Joe Schmidt was the captain of the 1957 NFL champion Detroit Lions. (Detroit Free Press through Imagn Content material Providers, LLC)
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He coached the Lions from 1967 to 1972. He was 43-34-7.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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