Hall of Fame legend Joe Schmidt passed away at the age of 92. He is an NFL legend that helped the Detroit Lions win the NFL twice, the linebacker has a big legacy for the Lions to his name. The Lions announced the news of his passing on Thursday, September 12 following his death on Wednesday. He took his last breath in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. His daughter Kerry Schmidt confirmed the news of his death.
"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. 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 was drafted in the seventh round of the 1953 NFL Draft by the Lions out of the University of Pittsburgh. The Lions were the defending NFL champions at the time. He had endured several injuries in an injury-riddled time at college, suffering “two broken ribs, a broken wrist, separated shoulder, wrenched knee, torn knee cartilage and a concussion and hemorrhage that put him in the hospital for 10 days,” Jim Porter, president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said in the statement.
"Joe Schmidt had the heart of a Lion, which made it appropriate that he was also the heart of our team. 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,” Lions owner/chair emeritus Martha Firestone Ford said in a statement. “
Joe's career
Schmidt had a brilliant NFL career that went on to go for 13 years. He even helped the Lions win another NFL championship in 1957. He eventually retired in 1965 at 33. The Lions were regarded as an N.F.L. powerhouse in that era.
They defeated the Cleveland Browns for the 1952 league championship; beat them again in the 1953 title matchup, and defeated them once more in 1957, routing them 59-14. They also went to the championship game against the Browns in 1954, but that time they lost.
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