![Joe Schmidt 1 Green Bay runner Jim Taylor finds the going tough against Joe Schmidt, Wayne Walker, Dick LeBeau and the rest of the Detroit defense here in this early 1960s contest between the Packers and Lions.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F07%2Fjoe-schmidt-and-dick-lebeau-stop-jim-taylor-in-the-early-1960s-nfl.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Green Bay runner Jim Taylor finds the going tough against Joe Schmidt, Wayne Walker, Dick LeBeau and the rest of the Detroit defense here in this early 1960s contest between the Packers and Lions.
Joe Schmidt and Dick LeBeau stop Jim Taylor in the early 1960s NFL
![Joe Schmidt 2 Johnny Unitas comes under a heavy Detroit Lions rush in this Rob Riger photo. At left Lenny Moore does what he can to keep Wayne Walker away but Joe Schmidt and Darris McCord are coming in hot.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2Fjoe-schmidt-detroit-lions-rushing-johnny-unitas-rob-riger-photo.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Johnny Unitas comes under a heavy Detroit Lions rush in this Rob Riger photo. At left Lenny Moore does what he can to keep Wayne Walker away but Joe Schmidt and Darris McCord are coming in hot.
Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions, Rushing Johnny Unitas - A Rob Riger Photo
![Joe Schmidt 3 Linebacker Joe Schmidt and defensive lineman Roger Brown led the Detroit Lions defense of the early 1960s onto the field.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F03%2Fjoe-schmidt-roger-brown-1960s-detroit-lions-defense.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Linebacker Joe Schmidt and defensive lineman Roger Brown led the Detroit Lions defense of the early 1960s onto the field.
Joe Schmidt, Roger Brown and the 1960s Detroit lions Defense
![Joe Schmidt 4 Rams and Lions, we think from 1961. Joe Schmidt and Darris McCord can be seen as the Lions defense blocks a Danny Villanueva kick. The Lions won this one by a score of 14-13. The other Rams here, if it is from 1961 are rookie Joe Scibelli (#71), vet Frank Varrichione (#70) and Lamar Lundy (#85). The other Lions here closing in could be Yale Lary at the far left, Alex Karras on Schmidt's right, and linebacker Max Messner & Night Train Lane diving in front of Villanueva.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F02%2Fjoe-schmidt-darris-mccord-detroit-lions-defense-block-la-rams-danny-villaneva-kick-1961-nfl.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Rams and Lions, we think from 1961. Joe Schmidt and Darris McCord can be seen as the Lions defense blocks a Danny Villanueva kick. The Lions won this one by a score of 14-13. The other Rams here, if it is from 1961 are rookie Joe Scibelli (#71), vet Frank Varrichione (#70) and Lamar Lundy (#85). The other Lions here closing in could be Yale Lary at the far left, Alex Karras on Schmidt's right, and linebacker Max Messner & Night Train Lane diving in front of Villanueva.
Joe Schmidt & Darris Mccord - Detroit Lions Defense Blocks LA Rams Danny Villaneva's Kick in 1961
![Joe Schmidt 5 Bears rookie runner Gale Sayers is closed in by Detroit Lions defenders Joe Schmidt and Alex Karras in 1965.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F11%2Fjoe-schmidt-alex-karras-detroit-lions-defense-close-in-on-gale-sayers-1965-nfl.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Bears rookie runner Gale Sayers is closed in by Detroit Lions defenders Joe Schmidt and Alex Karras in 1965.
Joe Schmidt, Alex Karras and the Detroit Lions defense closes in on Gale Sayers in 1965
![Joe Schmidt 6 Lions Hall of Fame linebacker from 1953 to 1965 he still ranks #1 among Detroit linebackers with 24 career interceptions.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F11%2Fjoe-schmidt-middle-linebacker-of-the-detroit-lions.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Lions Hall of Fame linebacker from 1953 to 1965 he still ranks #1 among Detroit linebackers with 24 career interceptions.
Joe Schmidt, Middle Linebacker of the Detroit Lions
![Joe Schmidt 7 10 Pro Bowls and 8 All Pro teams, NFL All-1950s Decade Team. Hall of Fame Class of 1973.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2Fjoe-schmidt-detroit-lions-hall-of-fame-linebacker.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
10 Pro Bowls and 8 All Pro teams, NFL All-1950s Decade Team. Hall of Fame Class of 1973.
Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions Hall of Fame Linebacker
![Joe Schmidt 8 Joe Schmidt, Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions treats Green Bay Packers tight end somewhat rudely here in Packers-Lions action of the 1960s NFL.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F12%2Fjoe-schmidt-brings-down-ron-kramer-lions-packers-1960s-nfl.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Joe Schmidt, Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions treats Green Bay Packers tight end somewhat rudely here in Packers-Lions action of the 1960s NFL.
Joe Schmidt brings down Ron Kramer of the Lions
![Joe Schmidt 9 Lions Linebacker Joe Schmidt catches Rams quarterback Frank Ryan (#15) from behind as halfback Jon Arnett (#26) can do little more than watch.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F11%2Fjoe-schmidt-takes-down-frank-ryan.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Lions Linebacker Joe Schmidt catches Rams quarterback Frank Ryan (#15) from behind as halfback Jon Arnett (#26) can do little more than watch.
Joe Schmidt Sacks Frank Ryan
![Joe Schmidt 10 Lions greats Roger Brown (#76) and Alex Karras (#71) break through the line to stop Packers QB Bart Starr (#15) before he can do anything. In the background linebacker Joe Schmidt (#56) & center Ken Bowmen (#57) are locked in contest.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F10%2Flions-alex-karras-tackles-packers-bart-starr.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Lions greats Roger Brown (#76) and Alex Karras (#71) break through the line to stop Packers QB Bart Starr (#15) before he can do anything. In the background linebacker Joe Schmidt (#56) & center Ken Bowmen (#57) are locked in contest.
The Lions Alex Karras Tackles the Packers Bart Starr behind the line of Scrimmage
![Joe Schmidt 11 4 Lions greats from the early 1960s - fullback Nick Pietrosante, Middle Linebacker Joe Schmidt, Defensive Tackle Alex Karras & Quarterback Earl Morrall](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F03%2F4-lions-form-the-early-1960s-nick-pietrosante-joe-schmidt-alex-karras-earl-morrall.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
4 Lions greats from the early 1960s - fullback Nick Pietrosante, Middle Linebacker Joe Schmidt, Defensive Tackle Alex Karras & Quarterback Earl Morrall
4 Lions form the Early 1960s -Nick Pietrosante, Joe Schmidt, Alex Karras & Earl Morrall
![Joe Schmidt 12 Lions Hall of Fame linebacker from 1953 to 1965 he still ranks #1 among Detroit linebackers with 24 career interceptions.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F02%2Fdetroit-lions-linebacker-joe-schmidt.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Lions Hall of Fame linebacker from 1953 to 1965 he still ranks #1 among Detroit linebackers with 24 career interceptions.
Detroit Lions Linebacker Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 13 Two Legends from the Old School days of Pro Football. Detroit Lions linebacker Joe Schmidt (#56) moves in to stop Cleveland Browns Great Jim Brown (#32).
Both men are in the NFL Hall of Fame.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F12%2Fnfl-legends-jim-brown-joe-schmidt.jpeg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpeg)
Two Legends from the Old School days of Pro Football. Detroit Lions linebacker Joe Schmidt (#56) moves in to stop Cleveland Browns Great Jim Brown (#32).
Both men are in the NFL Hall of Fame.
NFL Legends Jim Brown and Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 14 From the 1962 Thanksgiving Day win over the Pack - the Lions Legendary Linebacker brings down Bart Starr.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F07%2Fjoe-schmidt-detroit-lions-sacks-bart-starr-green-bay-packers-1962.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
From the 1962 Thanksgiving Day win over the Pack - the Lions Legendary Linebacker brings down Bart Starr.
Joe Schmidt of the Detroit Lions Sacks Bart Starr of the Green Bay Packers in 1962
![Joe Schmidt 15 A 7th-round pick from Pittsburgh in 1953 he quickly established himself a the leader of those great Detroit Lions defenses of the 1950s.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F09%2Fdetroit-lions-mlb-joe-schmidt.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
A 7th-round pick from Pittsburgh in 1953 he quickly established himself a the leader of those great Detroit Lions defenses of the 1950s.
Detroit Lions Midle Linebacker Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 16 timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F07%2Fjoe schmidt fb.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F07%2Fjoe-schmidt-fb.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
![Joe Schmidt 17 His 1959 Topps card. That season he made his 6th consecutive All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams. All in all he was selected to 8 All-Pro Teams and 10 Pro Bowls during his 13-year career with the Lions.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2Fjoe-schmidt-1959-detroit-lions-topps-card.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
His 1959 Topps card. That season he made his 6th consecutive All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams. All in all he was selected to 8 All-Pro Teams and 10 Pro Bowls during his 13-year career with the Lions.
Joe Schmidt 1959 Detroit Lions Topps Card
![Joe Schmidt 18 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe23.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 19 Joe Schmidt - Hall of Fame Detroit Lion Linebacker](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2Fjoe-schmidt-hall-of-fame-detroit-lion-linebacker.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Joe Schmidt - Hall of Fame Detroit Lion Linebacker
![Joe Schmidt 20 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe20.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 21 Bringing down Bart Starr](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe19.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Bringing down Bart Starr
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 22 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe17.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 23 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe16.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 24 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe15.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 25 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe14.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 26 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe11.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 27 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe10.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 28 Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions 1953-1965](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2Fjoe-schmidt-detroit-lions-1953-1965.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions 1953-1965
![Joe Schmidt 29 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2Fjoe-schmidt-detroit-lions.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s
Joe Schmidt Detroit Lions
![Joe Schmidt 30 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe7.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 31 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe6.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 32 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe5.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 33 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe4.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 34 Joe Scmidt - Detroit Lions 1953-1965](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe3.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Joe Scmidt - Detroit Lions 1953-1965
![Joe Schmidt 35 Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2FSchmidtJoe2.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Hall of Fame Linebacker for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s and 1960s Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 36 Detroit Lion Linebacker Joe Schmidt puts the heat on Cleveland Browns Quarterback Frank Ryan as Ryan just gets off a pass.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2Fjoe-schmidt-pressures-frank-ryan.jpg.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Detroit Lion Linebacker Joe Schmidt puts the heat on Cleveland Browns Quarterback Frank Ryan as Ryan just gets off a pass.
Frank Ryan and Joe Schmidt
![Joe Schmidt 37 Legendary Linebacker Joe Schmidt of the Detroit Lions takes on the block of 49er center Karl Rubke as Rubke leads running back JD Smith.](https://nflpastplayers.com/wp-content/plugins/justified-image-grid/timthumb.php?src=https%3A%2F%2Fnflpastplayers.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2016%2F04%2F49er-lineman-karl-rubke-lion-linebacker-joe-schmidt.jpg&h=360&q=90&f=.jpg)
Legendary Linebacker Joe Schmidt of the Detroit Lions takes on the block of 49er center Karl Rubke as Rubke leads running back JD Smith.
49er Lineman Karl Rubke Lion Linebacker Joe Schmidt