Joe schmidth a two-time NFL champion linebacker has died he was 92 the Detroit Lion star who played and coached for the team from 1953 to 1972 before his Hall of Fame induction in 1973a died on Wednesday September 11th the Lions announced the following day Joe was a lion through and through having spent his entire career in Detroit including 13 years as a linebacker and six season as our head coach the lion September 12th statement read 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 the statement continued our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Marilyn and the entire Schmidt Family as we all mourn his passing as a player Schmidt helped the Lions win the NFL Championship in 1953 and 1957 after his stint on the field ended in 1965 he started coaching the linebackers the following year he became the head coach in 1967 and served in that Ro until 1972 Martha Firestone for board a former Lion's owner remembered Schmidt's Legacy Joe Schmidt had the heart of a lion which made it appropriate that he was also the heart of our team Ford said in a statement on Thursday Joe was a key part of our Championship seasons and continued to be an important part of our organization until his passing Joe made his home in Detroit and carried his success from the field into our community I am saddened to hear of his passing but I have nothing but fond memories of the person he was Ford added I share my deepest condolences with Marilyn and his children