1972 Profile: John Schmitt

Center
No. 52
Hofstra
"Local boy who made good. Born in Brooklyn, Schmitt went to high school in South Orange, New Jersey and played his college ball at Hofstra, where the Jets now train. One of the better centers in football, he loves his position.
'It's the dirtiest job, and I usually wind up on the bottom of the pile with a ton of guys on me,' he says, 'but if I can't be the quarterback, I want to be the center.' Schmitt is only the second center in Jet history. He spent the first year on the taxi squad after his college coach convinced the Jets that he had talent. 300-pound Ernie Ladd was playing over him when he finally got into a game and crushed his knee. John came back in 1966 and has played every game for six straight years.
It took a little time for fans and writers to notice him. But he emerged as a star in the year the Jets won the Super Bowl and has starred since then."

-Jim Benagh, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1972 Edition

"Elected 1971 offensive co-captain with Winston Hill, Schmitt has been the starting center for the past six seasons. He received All-AFL mention following the '68 and '69 campaigns. He enjoyed one of the finest games of his career against Kansas City at Shea when his blocking completely neutralized (according to Jet coaches) the Chiefs' awesome middle linebacker Willie Lanier. He received a game ball after his great effort against Minnesota in 1970 and had his best game that year against the Rams.
Schmitt has stayed injury free but is still bothered by a back problem that has been painful for two seasons. A superb pass blocker, John 'plays with his heart and gives great effort on every play,' says Weeb Ewbank. He earned the Heede Award as the Jets' most dedicated offensive player in '68. Signed as a free agent, he fought his way to regular status after two years on the taxi squad.
Vice-president of Zara Contracting of Hicksville, John is also sports director of WGBB radio for Freeport, handling a daily sports report. He is a consultant on Parks and Recreation for the town of Hempstead and Nassau County and Chairman of the Hofstra Alumni Association. He works for the Cerebral Palsy School for the Living on Long Island and is an advisor on community relations for the Central Islip school board.

John is chairman of Professional Athletic Speakers on Narcotics for the town of Hempstead and Nassau County and is a dedicated worker in many anti-drug projects. He speaks regularly as part of the anti-drug program in Oyster Bay.
He makes his year-round home in Brookville, New York. His hometown is Central Islip, New York."

-The New York Jets Official 1972 Yearbook, edited by Frank Ramos