Detroit Lions Coach passed on

The Hall of Fame linebacker Joe Schmidt, who coached the Detroit Lions after helping the team win NFL titles in 1953 and 1957, passed away. He was ninety-two. Schmidt’s family notified the Lions that he passed away on

One of pro football’s first great middle linebackers, Schmidt played his entire NFL career with the Lions from 1953 through 1965. An eight-time All-Pro, he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and the college football version in 2000.

Joe likes to say that at one point in his career, he was 6-3, but he had tackled so many fullbacks that it drove his neck into his shoulders and now he is 6-foot,” said the late Lions owner William Clay Ford, Schmidt’s presenter at his Hall of Fame induction in 1973. “At any rate, he was listed at 6-feet and as I say was marginal for that position.

There are, however, qualities that certainly scouts or anybody who is drafting a ballplayer cannot measure.” Born in Pittsburgh, Schmidt played college football in his hometown at Pitt, beginning his stint there as a fullback and guard before coach Len Casanova switched him to linebacker. “Pitt provided me with the opportunity to do what I’ve wanted to do, and further myself through my athletic abilities,” Schmidt said. “Everything I have stemmed from that opportunity.” Schmidt dealt with injuries throughout his college career and was drafted by the Lions in the seventh round in 1953.

As defenses evolved in that era, Schmidt’s speed, savvy and tackling ability made him a valuable part of some of the franchise’s greatest teams. Schmidt was elected to the Pro Bowl 10 straight years from 1955-64, and after his arrival, the Lions won the last two of their three NFL titles in the 1950s.

In a 1957 playoff game at San Francisco, the Lions trailed 27-7 in the third quarter before rallying to win 31-27. That was the NFL’s largest comeback in postseason history until Buffalo rallied from a 32-point deficit to beat Houston in 1993.