Joe Schmidt, a Pittsburgh native, Pitt legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer with the Detroit Lions, died Wednesday at the age of 92, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Schmidt grew up in Brentwood, Pa. and starred at Pitt in the early 1950s, earning first-team All-American honors in 1952. He played for four different coaches during his time at Pitt, starting on the offensive side of the ball before being moved to linebacker. He emerged as one of the finest linebackers the sport has ever seen.
The Lions selected Schmidt in the seventh round of the 1953 NFL Draft due to injury concerns, but he rewarded the Lions’ faith tenfold. In 13 seasons with the Lions, Schmidt was a 10-time Pro Bowler, 8-time first-team All-Pro, 2-time second-team All-Pro and 2-time Super Bowl champion.
It’s difficult to find stats from the era in which Schmidt played, but he recorded at least 24 interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), 17 fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown) and 15 sacks.
Schmidt was named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade team, the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time team and the Detroit Lions All-Time team.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973, College Football Hall of Fame in 2000 and had his Panthers’ and Lions’ numbers retired.
“Joe Schmidt played in a golden era of middle linebackers in the NFL, and many of his peers considered him the toughest opponent they faced,” Hall of Fame President Jim Porter told WPXI. “When Joe Schmidt got to the ball carrier, that was the end of the play. And yet, he never sought out attention. He let his play do the talking.”
Schmidt retired from the NFL in 1965 and served as Detroit’s head coach from 1967-72. The Lions went 43-34-7 during his tenure, making the playoffs in 1970. Following his retirement from football full-time, Schmidt formed Joe Schmidt Enterprises in the Detroit area.
He is survived by his wife Marilyn and their five children.