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The New York Jets community and the wider football world are mourning the loss of Matt Snell, a legendary running back known for his pivotal role in Super Bowl III. Snell has passed away at the age of 84, as confirmed by The Post. Details surrounding the cause of his death have not yet been disclosed.
Matt Snell’s career began with a bang in 1964 when he burst onto the scene as a rookie, swiftly capturing the AFL Rookie of the Year title. His rookie season was highlighted by a remarkable performance against the Oilers, where he set a franchise record by rushing for 180 yards.
However, it was his performance in Super Bowl III that cemented his legacy. Against all odds, Snell played a crucial part in the Jets’ historic upset against the Baltimore Colts. Despite battling a knee injury, he managed to rush for 121 yards on 30 carries and scored the team’s only touchdown, showcasing his determination and resilience.
Unfortunately, Snell’s promising career was hampered by injuries, which limited his participation to just 12 games over his last three seasons. These setbacks ultimately led to his retirement from professional football in 1972. Despite the premature end to his playing days, Snell’s contributions to the Jets and the sport remain enduringly significant.
Further injuries stalled out his career, limiting him to just 12 games over his final three seasons before retiring in 1972.
Things between Snell and Gang Green famously soured in the days after his career ended in a grudge that he continued to carry to the very end.
“Those people there now don’t owe me anything,” Snell told The Post’s Brian Costello in 2015. “I’ll be gone soon, too.”
The mystery behind that grudge was revealed in Bob Lederer’s 2018 book, “Beyond Broadway Joe: The Super Bowl Team That Changed Football,” in which Snell said then-part-owner Sonny Werblin promised him a place with the team for life, but felt the organization didn’t follow through after Werblin’s stake was bought out.
“I don’t know if Sonny ever communicated what he had promised me to the other owners. I know there were people around the organization that were not happy that Sonny and I were friends, and some of them jumped on the opportunity to say bad things about me when Sonny was gone,” Snell said. “It may be that no one in Jets management knew about Sonny’s promises to me, but in 1974, there was a recession and I was in line for a construction job. I asked the Jets for a reference. They told me they didn’t do that for players. They said they couldn’t do it! Can you believe that? I can’t prove it, but I don’t think any of that would have ever happened if Sonny were in charge. That’s why I don’t get along with the organization now.”