Detroit Lions legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Schmidt passed away on Wednesday, the team announced. He was 92 years old.
"Joe Schmidt had the heart of a Lion," team owner Martha Firestone Ford said on Thursday ... "which made it appropriate that he was also the heart of our team."
"Joe was a key part of our Championship seasons and continued to be an important part of our organization until his passing."
The 6-foot-1-inch linebacker is considered the "Greatest Lion Ever" after spending his 13-year NFL career in Detriot.