Detroit Lions legendary linebacker Joe Schmidt passed away on Wednesday night, as first reported by the Detroit News.
Schmidt had the most prestigious career of any Lions linebacker. He was a 10-time All-Pro, a 10-time Pro Bowler, a two-time NFL champion, an NFL Hall of Famer, and one of 21 players inducted into the team’s Pride of the Lions ring of honor.
Schmidt played 13 years in the NFL—all for the Lions. Statistics for that era are scarce, but he finished with 24 interceptions and produced a whopping eight fumble recoveries in the 1955 season alone.