Matt Snell: A Legendary Figure in New York Jets History
Matt Snell, a legendary figure in New York Jets history and the man who scored the pivotal touchdown in the team’s Super Bowl III victory, has passed away at the age of 84. The Jets confirmed his death, which occurred on Tuesday morning in New York.
Career Highlights
Snell’s remarkable career began in the AFL, where he formed a formidable running back tandem with Emerson Boozer, crucial in leading the Jets against the heavily favored Baltimore Colts during the landmark 1969 championship game. This match was significant not only for the Jets but also for professional football, marking the first time an AFL team had ever taken the lead in a Super Bowl. Snell’s 4-yard touchdown run in the second quarter gave the Jets a 7-0 advantage, a moment etched in history. The team executed a powerful running strategy dubbed “19 Straight,” a tactic documented on their championship rings. Snell concluded that game with a Super Bowl record of 121 rushing yards on 30 carries, although it was quarterback Joe Namath who ultimately received the MVP honor for his performance in the game.
Reflections on Snell’s Impact
Jets owner Woody Johnson expressed his thoughts in a statement, describing Snell as “the embodiment of toughness, selflessness, and belief—traits that defined our organization’s proudest moments.”
Early Life and Career
A native of the Long Island community of Carle Place, Snell pursued a notable football career, starting with a four-season stint at Ohio State. He was chosen in the fourth round of the 1964 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, the team he supported as a child. However, he opted to sign with the Jets after being picked third overall in the AFL draft, seeking immediate playing time. Snell made an instant impact, earning the AFL Rookie of the Year title in his debut season with 945 rushing yards and a franchise-record game of 180 yards against the Houston Oilers, a record that still stands for Jets rookies today.
Achievements and Challenges
Throughout his career, Snell earned three selections to the AFL All-Star team and was recognized as a first-team All-AFL player in his final championship season. Known for his physical running style and exceptional blocking skills, he also handled pass-catching duties effectively. However, his rough play took a toll on his health, and he battled injuries that ultimately curtailed his playing time later in his career, including a cartilage tear in 1967 and an Achilles tear in 1970 that limited him to just three games. After retiring from the NFL in 1972, Snell accumulated 4,285 rushing yards, placing him fourth on the Jets’ all-time list.
Life After Football
Following his football career, he transitioned to the financial world, becoming a partner at Defco Securities Inc. Additionally, he gained visibility in advertising as the first spokesperson for Miller Lite, known for its “Tastes Great, Less Filling” campaign. He then established a construction business in New Jersey, where he spent several productive years.
Legacy and Personal Life
Despite his storied past, Snell distanced himself from the Jets organization later in life, even skipping the induction ceremony into the Jets’ Ring of Honor alongside Boozer in 2015. He expressed a long-standing grievance in Bob Lederer’s book, “Beyond Broadway Joe,” claiming that broken promises from former team owner Sonny Werblin regarding his lifetime association with the team led to tension with the organization.
Born on August 18, 1941, in Garfield, Georgia, Snell moved to New York during his childhood and excelled athletically at Carle Place High School, eventually earning a place in the school’s athletic hall of fame. At Ohio State, he gained prominence not only as a standout fullback but also as a defensive end, being named the Buckeyes’ MVP in his senior year. He was later included in Ohio State’s all-century football team in 2000 for his contributions.
Matt Snell is survived by his wife, Sharon; his son, Beau; his daughter, Jada; grandson, Donte; and great-nephew, Benny Snell Jr., a former running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
