University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Joe Schmidt Leaves Behind an Incredible Football Career as he Enters the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame
8/26/2019 7:00:00 PM | General
Joe Schmidt began his life facing the toughest adversity imaginable. The son of two German immigrants in the 1940's, Schmidt lost two brothers and his father all before high school. That didn't stop him from carrying out his dream in honor of them.
When Schmidt arrived in Oakland to begin his college career, nobody knew what impact he would have on the program. He quickly became one of the best players in school history.
"I became an All-American which was not surprising but I was elated over it," said Schmidt. "I would've liked to have won a few more games but I had three different head coaches. My senior year we had a pretty good football team. We beat Notre Dame and I think if we won another game we would've gotten a bowl bid. We had a tough schedule. It wasn't an easy walk-through schedule."
His success at Pitt led to an opportunity to play in the NFL. However, his professional career didn't start the way he had hoped. After speaking with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was informed that they were set on drafting him.
"I was listening to the draft on the radio," said Schmidt. "The Steelers selected a QB in the 6th round and he was ineligible for some reason. So then they selected me, but they had already exhausted their draft choice so they had to wait until the next round. Things happen for the good and the bad but for me I was very fortunate."
A few loopholes later and Schmidt found himself a member of the Detroit Lions.
"I came up to the Lions in training camp and I had a good attitude," said Schmidt. "I figured they wouldn't make too many changes to the roster and they had a good group of rookies. Fortunately, I was able to make the squad. I played middle linebacker in college most of the time. They were evolving defenses towards that so it was not a hard adjustment for me"
As a rookie, Schmidt played in 12 games and had two interceptions. His impact on the Lions was felt everywhere as Detroit reached the top of the football world again.
"We went on to win the championship," said Schmidt. "It was quite the learning experience for me as a rookie."
The momentum from his rookie year carried over to the rest of his playing career. Schmidt went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls. He is an eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro-Bowler. When he retired from playing in 1965, Schmidt took a few years off before returning to football once again as a coach of the Detroit Lions.
Schmidt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. Some say he revolutionized the linebacker position. Today, his impact on the game can be seen in every football game at every level. Linebackers now have to do more because of the standard set by Schmidt. Creating turnovers is a big emphasis on his game.
Through all the awards and accolades, Schmidt still puts the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame in a special place in his heart.
"Being inducted into the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame is quite the honor and one that I am really happy about it," said Schmidt. "When I first started playing football I never dreamed that these things would come to pass. I think about it frequently and I am blessed."
2019 PITT HALL OF FAME
The 2019 Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Class was unveiled June 13, 2019 by Pitt's Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. The 12-member group is composed of All-Pros, All-Americans and legendary all-time greats.
The 2019 class will receive induction at the Pitt Hall of Fame Dinner on Friday, Sept. 20, at the Petersen Events Center. On Saturday, Sept. 21, the inductees will be introduced at Heinz Field when the Panthers host UCF. For Hall of Fame Dinner ticket information, contact Executive Director for Signature Events and Donor Experience Allison Rubin by phone (412-648-0345) or email (arubin@athletics.pitt.edu).
For more information of the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame, visit pittsburghpanthers.com/halloffame.
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When Schmidt arrived in Oakland to begin his college career, nobody knew what impact he would have on the program. He quickly became one of the best players in school history.
"I became an All-American which was not surprising but I was elated over it," said Schmidt. "I would've liked to have won a few more games but I had three different head coaches. My senior year we had a pretty good football team. We beat Notre Dame and I think if we won another game we would've gotten a bowl bid. We had a tough schedule. It wasn't an easy walk-through schedule."
His success at Pitt led to an opportunity to play in the NFL. However, his professional career didn't start the way he had hoped. After speaking with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was informed that they were set on drafting him.
"I was listening to the draft on the radio," said Schmidt. "The Steelers selected a QB in the 6th round and he was ineligible for some reason. So then they selected me, but they had already exhausted their draft choice so they had to wait until the next round. Things happen for the good and the bad but for me I was very fortunate."
A few loopholes later and Schmidt found himself a member of the Detroit Lions.
"I came up to the Lions in training camp and I had a good attitude," said Schmidt. "I figured they wouldn't make too many changes to the roster and they had a good group of rookies. Fortunately, I was able to make the squad. I played middle linebacker in college most of the time. They were evolving defenses towards that so it was not a hard adjustment for me"
As a rookie, Schmidt played in 12 games and had two interceptions. His impact on the Lions was felt everywhere as Detroit reached the top of the football world again.
"We went on to win the championship," said Schmidt. "It was quite the learning experience for me as a rookie."
The momentum from his rookie year carried over to the rest of his playing career. Schmidt went on to play 13 seasons in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls. He is an eight-time All-Pro and 10-time Pro-Bowler. When he retired from playing in 1965, Schmidt took a few years off before returning to football once again as a coach of the Detroit Lions.
Schmidt was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000. Some say he revolutionized the linebacker position. Today, his impact on the game can be seen in every football game at every level. Linebackers now have to do more because of the standard set by Schmidt. Creating turnovers is a big emphasis on his game.
Through all the awards and accolades, Schmidt still puts the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame in a special place in his heart.
"Being inducted into the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame is quite the honor and one that I am really happy about it," said Schmidt. "When I first started playing football I never dreamed that these things would come to pass. I think about it frequently and I am blessed."
2019 PITT HALL OF FAME
The 2019 Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame Class was unveiled June 13, 2019 by Pitt's Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. The 12-member group is composed of All-Pros, All-Americans and legendary all-time greats.
The 2019 class will receive induction at the Pitt Hall of Fame Dinner on Friday, Sept. 20, at the Petersen Events Center. On Saturday, Sept. 21, the inductees will be introduced at Heinz Field when the Panthers host UCF. For Hall of Fame Dinner ticket information, contact Executive Director for Signature Events and Donor Experience Allison Rubin by phone (412-648-0345) or email (arubin@athletics.pitt.edu).
For more information of the Pitt Athletics Hall of Fame, visit pittsburghpanthers.com/halloffame.
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