New York Jets running back Matt Snell, a key figure in the team's Super Bowl III victory, has died at age 83, the franchise announced on January 10, 2025.[1][2] No cause of death was disclosed.

Jets Chairman Woody Johnson issued a statement praising Snell's toughness and performance in Super Bowl III. "Matt Snell will forever hold a special place in the history of the New York Jets," Johnson said. "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."[1][3]

A first-round draft pick by the Jets (second overall) out of Ohio State in 1964, Snell played nine NFL seasons, eight with New York (1964-1969, 1972) and one with the Denver Broncos (1971).[4][5] In his rookie season, he earned AFL Rookie of the Year honors after rushing for 719 yards and five touchdowns, highlighted by a franchise single-game record of 214 yards against the Buffalo Bills on November 1, 1964.[4][5]

Snell played a pivotal role in the Jets' 16-7 win over the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III on January 12, 1969, at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. Despite a knee injury, he carried 30 times for 121 yards and New York's lone touchdown.[1][4]

Over his Jets career, Snell accumulated 3,948 rushing yards, ranking sixth in franchise history. Injuries limited him to 12 games in his final three seasons (1970-1972), after which he retired.[4][5]

Quarterback Joe Namath, Snell's teammate on the Super Bowl champion Jets, 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."[1][2]

Sources

1. New York Jets. "Jets Mourn the Passing of Matt Snell". January 10, 2025. https://www.newyorkjets.com/news/jets-mourn-the-passing-of-matt-snell
2. ESPN. "Super Bowl III hero Matt Snell, Jets' leading rusher on Namath's championship team, dies at 83". January 10, 2025. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39379781/super-bowl-iii-hero-matt-snell-jets-leading-rusher-namath-championship-team-dies-83
3. NFL.com. "Jets release statement on passing of Matt Snell". January 10, 2025. https://www.nfl.com/news/jets-release-statement-on-passing-of-matt-snell
4. Pro-Football-Reference.com. "Matt Snell Stats". Accessed January 11, 2025. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SnelMa00.htm
5. New York Jets. "Jets All-Time Rushing Leaders". Accessed January 11, 2025. https://www.newyorkjets.com/history/all-time-rushing-leaders/