Detroit Lions helmet (Photo via Getty Images)
On Thursday, the Detroit Lions announced the passing of longtime linebacker Joe Schmidt at the age of 92-years-old.
Schmidt was among the first great players to go through the Lions organization. He spent all 13 years of his NFL career with Detroit and has more than enough accolades.
From 1954, his second year in the league, until 1963, he made a Pro Bowl every year. That’s 10 straight years of being recognized as one of the best players in your position. That alone was already a major achievement.
However, that wasn’t it for Schmidt. He also made the first-team All-Pro nine times and second-team All-Pro once.
Despite all of that, the craziest part of his resume is that he was an MVP finalist two different times while playing middle linebacker. In 1957, he finished fourth in the race, and in 1962, he finished fifth.
At one point, he was the team captain for Detroit for nine consecutive years and was the Lion’s MVP four times
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Schmidt’s amazing career began as a seventh-round pick from the Lions. In 1973, he was officially immortalized in NFL history by being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
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Joe Schmidt Also Had A Coaching Career
Schmidt wasn’t ready to give up football just because he retired as a player.
In 1966, he was hired as the Lions’ assistant coach, and after just one season, he was named head coach in 1967.
Schmidt’s final season as head coach was in 1972, concluding six seasons in the position. He compiled a 43-24 record. The furthest he made it in the playoffs was an NFC Divisional Game loss to the Dallas Cowboys in 1970.
