Lion Ever" in conjunction with the NFL's 50th anniversary. In May 1970, Schmidt was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. In a 1988 poll of 300 NFL writers, Schmidt was selected as the best defensive player in the history of the Detroit Lions; Bobby Layne was picked as the greatest offensive player. In April 1997, the University of Pittsburgh announced that Schmidt's jersey number 65 would be retired at a ceremony in September 1997. In August 1999, Schmidt was ranked number 65 on The Sporting News''' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. In December 1999, the Detroit Free Press'' compiled its list of the greatest Michigan sports figures of the 20th century; Schmidt was ranked No. 14. The only other Lions to rank among the top 25 were Barry Sanders (#13) and Bobby Layne (#7). As a Lion, Schmidt wore number 56, and his number was retired by the Lions. Schmidt personally allowed Pat Swilling to wear the number 56 during Swilling's time with the Lions. No player has worn it since. Film Schmidt played himself as the coach of the Detroit in the 1968 film Paper Lion, based on the book by George Plimpton. Family and later years Schmidt and his wife, Marilyn, had five children, including son Billy (born 1961) and daughter Kerry (born 1962). After retiring from the Lions, Schmidt formed Joe Schmidt Enterprises, a manufacturer's representative working with the automobile industry in Detroit. References External links 1932 births Living people American football linebackers Detroit Lions coaches Detroit Lions players Pittsburgh Panthers football players National Football League players with retired numbers College Football Hall of Fame inductees Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees Western Conference Pro Bowl players Sportspeople from Pittsburgh Players of American football from Pittsburgh Detroit Lions head coaches