A Look At The Detroit Lions Legend’s Joe Schmidt (1953-1963 | 1967-1972)

Joe Schmidt: Dominant Detroit Lions Linebacker

Joe Schmidt is a former NFL linebacker who spent his entire career with the Detroit Lions. He was a dominant force on the field and a leader both on and off the field. We dive in here to look at Schmidt’s career, his impressive stats, and the awards he earned throughout his time in the NFL.

Career

Schmidt was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 1953 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the top linebackers in the league and became a staple in the Lions’ defense. Schmidt spent 13 seasons with the Lions and was a key player in the team’s success during the 1950s and 60s. He was known for his tough, physical play and his ability to read and diagnose plays.

Stats

A quick handed Schmidt put up impressive for a linebacker. He recorded 25 interceptions and recovered 17 fumbles during his career. He was also known for his ability to stuff the run and was a dominant force against the run during his time in the NFL. Schmidt was also a strong tackler, finishing his career with over 700 tackles.

The GRIT Factor Began A Long Time Ago

When Schmidt started playing pro football, the Lions were traditionally a strong defensive team. Yet within a very short time after his first pro game, Joe was the defensive leader of the Lions. He anticipated plays with uncanny accuracy. He was a deadly tackler, and strong enough to power past a would be blocker to blow up the play.

Later in his career, he was the team’s Field Captain for nine straight seasons. His teammates voted him their Most Valuable Player four times. For Schmidt, It wasn’t the honors this man accepted or the awards he racked up. Perhaps the finest accolade an athlete can earn is the universal respect of his coaches, opponents and teammates. Joe earned this kind of acclaim in abundance. So much so, that 2 season after retirement from playing in the league, Schmidt became the Head Coach of the Detroit Lions from 1967-1972.

Joe also can have the satisfaction of knowing that his presence played a big role in changing how defenses played in professional football. Schmidt didn’t exactly create the middle linebacker position. But he was the first to play the position with such finesse that anyone could see the growing value of the “defensive quarterback,” in the new 4-3 system.

Awards

Joe Schmidt’s play earned him recognition from the NFL and its fans. He was selected to eight Pro Bowls and was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1960. Schmidt was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1950s, was voted to the NFL All-League Team ten times, and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973.

In conclusion, Joe Schmidt is one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. His impressive stats and numerous awards are a testament to his talent and dedication to the sport of football. Schmidt’s contributions to the Detroit Lions will always be remembered and he will forever hold a place in the hearts of Lions fans as one of the greatest players to ever wear the Honolulu blue and silver.

His toughness, physicality, and ability to read and diagnose plays set him apart as one of the best linebackers to ever play the game. Joe Schmidt will always be remembered as a Detroit Lions legend and one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history.

Career Highlights & Awards

• Detroit Lions Head Coach 1967-1972
• Pro Football HOF Inductee 1973
• 2× NFL champion (1953, 1957)
• 8× First-team All-Pro (1954–1959, 1961, 1962)
• 2× Second-team All-Pro (1960, 1963)
• 10× Pro Bowl (1954–1963)
• NFL 1950s All-Decade Team
• 10x All-League Team
• NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
• Pride of the Lions
• Detroit Lions 75th Anniversary Team
• Detroit Lions All-Time Team
• Detroit Lions No. 56 retired
• First-team All-American (1952)
• Pittsburgh Panthers No. 65 retired

NFL records

Career NFL statistics

• Interceptions | 24
• INT Yards | 294
• Fumbles Recovered | 17
• Touchdowns | 3
• Tackles | 700 (unofficial)