According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, former New York Jets running back and Super Bowl champion Matt Snell passed away on Tuesday morning.
Snell, aged 84, spent all nine seasons of his career with the Jets (1964-1972). He appeared in 86 games (74 starts), posting 4,285 rushing yards on 1,057 rushes with 24 touchdowns. The Ohio State product also added 1,375 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 193 receptions.
Snell is most known for his integral role in the Jets’ Super Bowl III victory, scoring the game’s only touchdown while rushing for 121 yards as Gang Green defeated the Baltimore Colts, 16-7, for the franchise’s lone Super Bowl title.
He is also a member of the team’s Ring of Honor.
“Matt Snell will forever hold a special place in the history of the New York Jets,” said Jets owner Woody Johnson in a statement. “He was the embodiment 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 running, delivering the Jets’ lone touchdown and helping secure one of the most important victories in sports history.”
“I’m really sad to hear that he passed,” said former Jets quarterback Joe Namath, per the team’s official website, who spent eight seasons as Snell’s teammate. “Matt was not only a hell of a player — he was a terrific teammate, and without him we wouldn’t have had a chance to win a championship.”
Rest in peace, Matt Snell.
