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Former NFL running back Matt Snell has died at the age of 84, the New York Jets have confirmed.
The cause of death was not immediately announced.
In addition to his heroics in Super Bowl III, Snell is remembered for an outstanding rookie season, earning AFL Rookie of the Year honors and setting the Jets’ single-game rushing record. In the franchise’s only Super Bowl title, Snell rushed for 121 yards and scored New York’s lone touchdown.
Snell overcame a knee injury and played a key role in the Jets’ 16-7 victory.
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New York Jets linebacker Matt Snell watches the action on the sidelines during Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts at the Orange Bowl Jan. 12, 1969, Miami, Fla. (Focus on Sports via Getty Images)
In a statement, Jets Chairman Woody Johnson said Snell represented the heart of the franchise and left a lasting legacy.
“Matt Snell will hold a special place in New York Jets history,” Johnson said. “He was the epitome of toughness, selflessness and belief — traits that defined our organization’s proudest moments. His performance in Super Bowl III was nothing short of legendary. Against the odds, Matt set the tone with his physical athleticism, delivering one touchdown to the Jets and helping secure one of the most important victories in sports history.”
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Injuries marred the end of Snell’s career, limiting him to 12 games over his final three seasons. Snell retired from the NFL after the 1972 season.
Shortly after leaving the Jets, Snell’s relationship with the franchise seemed to deteriorate rapidly.
A 2018 book, “Beyond Broadway Joe: The Super Bowl Team That Changed Football,” later provided context behind the controversy. In the letter, Snell wrote that then-Jets owner Sonny Werblin offered him the role of a lifetime with the franchise.
New York Jets running back (41) Matt Snell in action during Super Bowl III against the Baltimore Colts in the Orange Bowl. Snell ran for 121 yards and a touchdown Jan. 12, 1969, Miami, Fla. (Malcolm Emmons/USA Today Sports)
Snell later said miscommunication may have led to a lack of follow-up after Werblin’s stake was purchased.
“I don’t know if Sonny ever talked about what he promised me to the other owners. I know there were people in the organization who weren’t happy that Sonny and I were friends, and some of them jumped at the opportunity to talk bad about me when Sonny wasn’t around,” Snell recalled, according to an excerpt from the book.
New York Jets running back (41) Matt Snell follows a block by Bill Mathis against the Baltimore Colts during Super Bowl III at the Orange Bowl Jan. 12, 1969 in Miami, Fla. (Malcolm Emmons/USA Today Sports)
Leanary Jets quarterback Joe Namth reflected on the lasting impact Snell made on the field.
“I am very saddened to hear that he has passed,” said Namath, speaking on the team’s website. “Matt wasn’t just a hell of a player – he was a great teammate, and without him, we wouldn’t have had a chance to win the championship.”
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Snell’s 4,285 rushing yards ranks fourth in Jets history. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, two children and a grandchild.
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