Longtime New York Jets running back Matt Snell has passed away. He was 84 years old.
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The Jets announced the news on Tuesday with an obituary on the team website. The team noted that Snell passed away on Long Island but did not provide a cause of death.
"I'm really sad to hear that he passed," former Jets quarterback Joe Namath said. "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."
A first-round pick in the 1964 AFL Draft, Snell spent his entire nine-year career with the Jets. He started 76 of the 86 games in which he appeared, and he rushed for 4,285 yards and 24 touchdowns.
He added 1,375 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Snell also suited up on special teams and as a blocker for Namath, and he formed a one-two punch with halfback Emerson Boozer. Both players were added to the Jets Ring of Honor together during halftime of a game against the Dolphins in 2015.
The AFL Rookie of the Year delivered in the biggest moment for the Jets. He rushed for 121 yards and one touchdown during the upset win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl 3. Jim Turner accounted for three field goals as the Jets won 16-7. This remains the team's only Super Bowl win.
"Matt Snell will forever hold a special place in the history of the New York Jets," said Jets Chairman 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 3 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."
Prior to moving to the New York Jets, Snell played multiple positions for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He lined up at defensive end, linebacker, and fullback between 1961-1963. He rushed for 688 yards and six touchdowns.
