January 12, 1969; Miami, Florida, USA; File photo New York Jets running back No. 41 Matt Snell during Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts. Snell ran 31 times for 121 yards as the Jets defeated the Colts 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Photo Credit: Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images Matt Snell, the running back who led the New York Jets to a shocking Super Bowl III victory, died Tuesday morning on Long Island at age 84, the team announced.
Snell’s role in Jets history is closely tied to the turmoil that transformed professional football. In a 16-7 win over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts, he carried the ball 30 times for 121 yards and scored New York’s only touchdown. It was a 4-yard run that gave the Jets a lead they never lost.
“Matt Snell will forever hold a special place in New York Jets history,” Chairman Woody Johnson said in a statement. “He was the embodiment of strength, selflessness and conviction – traits that have defined some of our organization’s proudest moments. His performance in Super Bowl III was nothing short of legendary.”
Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath credited Snell with being essential to that title run.
“I’m really sad to hear that he passed away,” Namath said. “Matt was not only a great player, but a great teammate, and without him we would not have had a chance to win a championship.”
Selected third overall in the 1964 AFL draft, Snell made an immediate impact, winning the AFL Rookie of the Year award. He became one of the franchise’s cornerstone players, leading the Jets in rushing for five of his first six seasons.
Snell finished his career with 4,285 rushing yards, which still ranks fourth in team history with 24 touchdowns. He added 1,375 receiving yards and seven more scores, earning All-AFL second-team honors three times and first team once.
A three-time AFL All-Star, Snell was selected in the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2015.
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