Bob Schmitz (2001) - Hall of Fame - Montana State University Athletics

Bob Schmitz

Induction:
2001
Class:
1957

Bob Schmitz Football, 1957-60 Years at MSU: 1957-60 Honors Earned: Played in 1961 All-American Bowl all-star game, and was a long-time NFL player Hometown: Clifton, Wisconsin “Bob was a quiet, in-the-trenches, get-the-job done guy.” –MSU Hall of Famer and former Bobcat football coach Tom Parac, who was an assistant during Schmitz’s career Bob Schmitz came to Montana State as an agile, fast fullback, and by the time his career as a Bobcat ended its climax he as a fast interior lineman on his way to an outstanding career in the NFL. Schmitz was bothered by injury in his first two seasons at Montana State, but “was a late bloomer” says then-assistant coach Tom Parac. “Bob was a trench guy. He was a big, physical guy for that day and age, 6-3 plus, 230 lbs or so. He had very good feet, quick, and he was probably among the fastest people on the team.” Schmitz was the linch-pin of a line that helped Montana State to an 11-6-1 record in his last two seasons. “Bob was physically very talented,” says former teammate and Bobcat legend Sonny Holland. “He was a big, strong, fast kid who ran very well and was very intelligent. During his NFL career he was one of the few players who actually stopped Jim Brown for a loss.” That Schmitz went on to success at the highest level of football was a tremendous achievement, Holland says. “That was really something at that time, coming from this level of football and being successful in the NFL. That was quite and accomplishment.”