<sod>In [[1969 Detroit Lions season|1969]], the Lions improved to 9–4–1 and finished in second place behind the [[1969 Minnesota Vikings season|Vikings]].<ref name=PFL/>  Lem Barney received first-team [[1969 All-Pro Team|1969 All-Pro honors]], and four Lions (Charlie Sanders, [[Ed Flanagan]], [[Alex Karras]], and Mike Lucci) received second-team honors.<ref name=TF2/>  On December 14, 1969, just hours after the team upset the [[1969 Los Angeles Rams season|Rams]], 28–0, Schmidt was arrested at 3 a.m. for driving while intoxicated after allegedly running a red light at 75 miles per hour on Telegraph Road in [[Southfield, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Game a Dream -- Coach Is Pinched|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=December 19, 1969|page=A3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7015636/game_a_dream_coach_is_pinched/}}</ref> Schmidt pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and was fined $150.<ref>{{cite news|title=Schmidt Penalized $150: Coach Admits Driving Charge|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=February 6, 1970|page=A3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7015730/schmidt_penalized_150_coach_admits/}}</ref><eod>
<sod>In [[1969 Detroit Lions season|1969]], the Lions opened the season 3–3 but picked up momentum from there, compiling a 6–1–1 record in their final eight games and finishing in second place behind the [[1969 Minnesota Vikings season|Vikings]].<ref name=PFL/>  Lem Barney received first-team [[1969 All-Pro Team|1969 All-Pro honors]], and four Lions (Charlie Sanders, [[Ed Flanagan]], [[Alex Karras]], and Mike Lucci) received second-team honors.<ref name=TF2/>  On December 14, 1969, just hours after the team upset the [[1969 Los Angeles Rams season|Rams]], 28–0, Schmidt was arrested at 3 a.m. for driving while intoxicated after allegedly running a red light at 75 miles per hour on Telegraph Road in [[Southfield, Michigan]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Game a Dream -- Coach Is Pinched|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=December 19, 1969|page=A3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7015636/game_a_dream_coach_is_pinched/}}</ref> Schmidt pleaded guilty to driving while impaired and was fined $150.<ref>{{cite news|title=Schmidt Penalized $150: Coach Admits Driving Charge|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=February 6, 1970|page=A3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/7015730/schmidt_penalized_150_coach_admits/}}</ref><eod>