Bob Schmitz
Encyclopedia
Robert Joseph Schmitz was an American football
linebacker
who played professionally in the National Football League
for the Pittsburgh Steelers
. Schmitz graduated from New Holstein High School in New Holstein, Wisconsin
. He then went on to attend college at Montana State University
where he played football
and earned a Bachelor's degree
in Business Administration.
. Schmitz was also drafted in the 1960 American Football League Draft
by the Oakland Raiders
, but he chose the Steelers. He is most notable for playing linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1961-1966. Schmitz played in a total of 51 NFL games. During his career he recorded three interceptions
for 65 yards and a touchdown
. Also he recorded one safety from the linebacker spot. Perhaps his most memorable moment came at Pitt Stadium
on November 10, 1963 where he recorded his only safety. Schmitz tackled Pro Football Hall of Fame
running back Jim Brown
of the Cleveland Browns
in the end zone
for a safety that gave the Steelers a 9-7 victory. Schmitz was then named NFL Player of the Week for his winning score. After winning the honor Schmitz said, "Gee, that's probably the best thing that ever happened to me." http://www.postgazette.com/pg/04162/329571.stm His last season in the NFL came in 1966; a season in which he split time between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings
.
in the NFL. In 1971 he was hired by the NFL’s BLESTO combine, a scouting service that was located in Pittsburgh
. He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as an area scout in 1976 after being hired by Art Rooney, Jr.
. Schmitz worked for the Steelers until 1995. Schmitz then accepted a scouting job for the New York Jets
in 1995 because he was offered more money by his former boss with the Steelers Dick Haley
. Schmitz assisted the Jets with their drafts and college free agent
signing periods. Throughout his career Schmitz specialty was grading defensive players. Schmitz retired as a scout on June 1, 2004 after a successful 33 year run.
and never woke up. His death was ruled an apparent heart attack
. Bob Schmitz was 65 years old.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who played professionally in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. Schmitz graduated from New Holstein High School in New Holstein, Wisconsin
New Holstein, Wisconsin
New Holstein is a city in Calumet County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The population was 3,301 at the 2000 census. The city is located within the Town of New Holstein.-History:...
. He then went on to attend college at Montana State University
Montana State University - Bozeman
Montana State University – Bozeman is a public university located in Bozeman, Montana. It is the state's land-grant university and primary campus in the Montana State University System, which is part of the Montana University System...
where he played football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
and earned a Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Business Administration.
Playing career
Schmitz was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 14th round of the 1961 NFL Draft1961 NFL Draft
The 1961 National Football League Draft took place on December 27–28, 1960. The league would later hold an expansion draft for the Minnesota Vikings expansion franchise, and the Vikings were also awarded the first selection position in this draft. This draft was also the first regular draft for...
. Schmitz was also drafted in the 1960 American Football League Draft
1960 American Football League Draft
The 1960 American Football League Draft was held on November 22, 1959, shortly after the organization of the league, and lasted 33 rounds. An additional draft of 20 rounds was held by the AFL on December 2.- Territorial draft :...
by the Oakland Raiders
History of the Oakland Raiders
-Early years :A few months after the first AFL draft in 1959, the owners of the yet-unnamed Minneapolis franchise accepted an offer to join the established National Football League as an expansion team in 1961, sending the AFL scrambling for a replacement. At the time, Oakland seemed an unlikely...
, but he chose the Steelers. He is most notable for playing linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1961-1966. Schmitz played in a total of 51 NFL games. During his career he recorded three interceptions
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
for 65 yards and a touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. Also he recorded one safety from the linebacker spot. Perhaps his most memorable moment came at Pitt Stadium
Pitt Stadium
Pitt Stadium was a stadium located on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the Oakland section of Pittsburgh in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania from 1925 to 1999. It served primarily as the home of the University of Pittsburgh's football team, the Pittsburgh Panthers...
on November 10, 1963 where he recorded his only safety. Schmitz tackled Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
running back Jim Brown
Jim Brown
James Nathaniel "Jim" Brown is an American former professional football player who has also made his mark as an actor. He is best known for his exceptional and record-setting nine-year career as a running back for the NFL Cleveland Browns from 1957 to 1965. In 2002, he was named by Sporting News...
of the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the end zone
End zone
In gridiron-based codes of football, the end zone refers to the scoring area on the field. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field...
for a safety that gave the Steelers a 9-7 victory. Schmitz was then named NFL Player of the Week for his winning score. After winning the honor Schmitz said, "Gee, that's probably the best thing that ever happened to me." http://www.postgazette.com/pg/04162/329571.stm His last season in the NFL came in 1966; a season in which he split time between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
.
Scouting
After his playing career ended Schmitz took up scoutingScout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
in the NFL. In 1971 he was hired by the NFL’s BLESTO combine, a scouting service that was located in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as an area scout in 1976 after being hired by Art Rooney, Jr.
Art Rooney II
Arthur Joseph "Art" Rooney II is the president and co-owner of the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.-Biography:Rooney is the oldest of nine children of Dan and Patricia Rooney. The Rooney family has owned the Steelers since the team's founding by Art II's grandfather and namesake Art Rooney in 1933...
. Schmitz worked for the Steelers until 1995. Schmitz then accepted a scouting job for the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in 1995 because he was offered more money by his former boss with the Steelers Dick Haley
Dick Haley
George Richard Haley, Jr. is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Pittsburgh Steelers...
. Schmitz assisted the Jets with their drafts and college free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
signing periods. Throughout his career Schmitz specialty was grading defensive players. Schmitz retired as a scout on June 1, 2004 after a successful 33 year run.
Death
On June 8, 2004, Schmitz took a late-morning nap at his home in Glendale, ArizonaGlendale, Arizona
Glendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
and never woke up. His death was ruled an apparent heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
. Bob Schmitz was 65 years old.