John Schmitt

Induction Year: 1992

Category: Football

Born in Brooklyn, Schmitt played football at Seton Hall and was then offered a full scholarship to Hofstra University.

He played center for the New York Jets for 10 seasons, serving as an unsung hero on the offensive line during their Super Bowl III victory.

He almost missed the game because he was sick with pneumonia. Though he suffered from dehydration and near exhaustion, he played the entire game and vomited in the locker room next to Joe Namath as he talked with reporters about his famous “guarantee.”

His career ended in 1974 with the Green Bay Packers.