Pro Football Hall of Fame middle linebacker Joe Schmidt has died. He was 92.Schmidt’s family said the Detroit Lions’ legend died Wednesday. No cause of death was revealed.Schmidt was a 10-time Pro Bowler who helped the Lions win NFL championships in 1953 and 1957. The only linebackers with more Pro Bowl selections are fellow Hall of Famers Ray Lewis (12), Junior Seau (12) and Derrick Brooks (11).Schmidt played in 155 games over 13 seasons (1953-65) with Detroit and had 24 interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. He also returned a fumble for a score.”We are saddened to hear of the passing of Joe Schmidt,” the Lions said in a statement. “Joe was a Lion through and through, having spent his entire career in Detroit, including 13 years as a linebacker and six seasons as our head coach. He patrolled the middle of our defense with such ferocity that he was named to 10 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1955 to 1964.”Joe was an enduring link to our Championship era and one of the proudest Lions you will ever meet. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and was an inaugural member of our team’s ring of honor, the Pride of the Lions, which will ensure his place in our history forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Marilyn, and the entire Schmidt family as we all mourn his passing.”
