Never leaving Detroit as a player, Schmidt was regarded for his unequalled toughness and was a major part of the last two NFL titles that the Lions won. The 1973 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee was an eight-time First Team All-Pro and was named the league MVP by United Press.
His running of the team defense made him a natural to coach, and he would helm the Lions from 1967 to 1972. Schmidt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, and his number 56 was retired by the team. He was also appropriatly part of the first class of the Pride of the Lions class in 2009. Schmidt also was part of the ultimate NFL honor, when he was named to the 100th Anniversary Team.
2. Joe Schmidt
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Easily the best defensive player the Detroit Lions have ever had, Joe Schmidt was a dominating Middle Linebacker who would become the defensive captain of the team in 1956 and continue in that role for nine years.
The Bullet Points
- Position: Linebacker
- Acquired: Drafted in the 7th Round, 85th Overall in the NFL Draft 1/22/53.
- Departed: Retired after the 1965 Season.
- Games Played: 155
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Notable Statistics: 149 Games Started
24 Interceptions
294 Interception Return Yards
2 Interception Return Touchdowns
17 Fumble Recoveries
82 Fumble Recovery Yards
1 Fumble Recovery Touchdown
15.0 Quarterback Sacks**
3 Punt Returns
1 Kick Return
6 Kick Return Yards
61 Approximate Value*
4 Playoff Games
3 Interceptions
32 Interception Return Yards
*Approximate Value was not a stat until the 1960 Season.
**Sacks were unofficially calculated by Pro Football Reference from 1960 to 1981. -
Major Accolades and Awards: NFL Champion (1953 & 1957)
First Team All-Pro (1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961 & 1962)
Second Team All-Pro (1960)
Pro Bowl (1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 & 1963)
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