Matt Snell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Matt Snell

Topps card of Snell, 1965
No. 41
Position	Fullback
Personal information
Born	August 18, 1941 Garfield, Georgia, U.S.
Died	March 10, 2026 (aged 84)
Listed height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight	219 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school	Carle Place (North Hempstead, New York)
College	Ohio State (1960-1963)
NFL draft	1964: 4th round, 49th overall pick
AFL draft	1964: 1st round,3rd overall pick
Career history
Playing
New York Jets (1964–1972)
Coaching
Bridgeport Jets (1973) Assistant coach
Awards and highlights
Super Bowl champion (III) AFL champion (1968) AFL Rookie of the Year (1964) First-team All-AFL (1969) 3× Second-team All-AFL (1964, 1965, 1968) 3× AFL All-Star (1964, 1966, 1969) New York Jets Ring of Honor National champion (1961) Second-team All-Big Ten (1962)
Career NFL/AFL statistics
Rushing yards 4,287 Rush average 4.1 Receptions 193 Receiving yards 1,375 Total touchdowns 31 Stats at Pro Football Reference
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Matthews "Matt" Snell (born August 18, 1941, and passed away on March 10, 2026) was an amazing American football player. He was a powerful fullback for the New York Jets in both the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL). Before becoming a professional, Matt showed his talent playing college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. His signing with the Jets in 1964 was a big deal, especially since the New York Giants had also tried to draft him.

Matt Snell: A Football Star

Early Life and High School Days

Matt Snell was born to Isaac and Annie on August 18, 1941. He grew up in a small town called Carle Place, New York. Matt went to Carle Place High School, where he became a local football legend. His picture is even in the school's Athletic Hall of Fame! He played as a right halfback and was part of a team that rarely lost. In 1959, he won the prestigious Thorp Award, given to the best high school football player in Nassau County.

College Football Journey

After high school, Matt went to Ohio State University. He was a key player for the Ohio State Buckeyes for three years. Matt was known for being a great team player, helping out on both offense and defense. In 1961, he played right halfback, often blocking for other star players. The next year, in 1962, he even played as a defensive end. For his final year in 1963, Matt became the starting fullback. He ran for 491 yards and scored 5 touchdowns that season. His teammates recognized his hard work and named him the team's most valuable player. Years later, in 2000, Matt was honored again by being named to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team as a defensive end.

Becoming a New York Jet

In 1964, Matt Snell joined the New York Jets as a professional player. He made an immediate impact! In his very first year, he set a team record by rushing for 180 yards in one game against the Houston Oilers. He finished his rookie season with an impressive 945 rushing yards. Because of his outstanding performance, Matt was named the AFL Rookie of the Year. He quickly became a star, earning spots on the AFL All-Star team in 1964 and 1966. In 1969, he was recognized as an All-AFL fullback by The Sporting News.

Super Bowl III Heroics

One of Matt Snell's most famous moments came in Super Bowl III. The Jets, who were the AFL champions, faced the Baltimore Colts, who were considered much stronger. Even though Matt was dealing with some knee injuries, he played a huge role in the Jets' surprising 16–7 victory. He carried the ball 30 times, gaining 121 yards – a record for the Super Bowl at that time! In the second quarter, he scored the Jets' only touchdown, running four yards around the left end. This touchdown was historic because it was the first time an AFL team had ever led in a Super Bowl. Matt also helped set up three field goals, which helped the Jets secure their first Super Bowl win.

Beyond Rushing: A Versatile Player

While Matt Snell was famous for his powerful running, he was also excellent at protecting his teammates. He became a very important part of the Jets' pass-blocking strategy, especially for their star quarterback, Joe Namath. Matt was so good at protecting Namath that he became one of the first "third-down specialty backs" later in his career. He even helped teach other running backs on the Jets how to improve their pass-blocking skills. Overall, Matt rushed for 4,287 yards and caught 193 passes for 1,375 yards during his career, scoring 31 touchdowns.

Challenges and Retirement

Matt faced several tough injuries during his career. He had a torn knee cartilage in 1967 and a torn Achilles tendon in 1970. In 1971, a severe knee bruise kept him out for many games. His career sadly ended in 1972 when he suffered a ruptured spleen during a game against the Miami Dolphins. This serious injury required surgery to remove his spleen. After this, Matt decided it was time to retire from football, officially announcing it the following March. He played in only 12 games during his final three seasons due to these injuries.

Life After Football

After his football career, Matt Snell explored new opportunities. In 1973, he appeared in one of the very first Miller Lite beer commercials, which became a famous advertising campaign featuring retired sports stars. He also sold his restaurant, "Matt Snell's Fifth Down," to focus on a new business venture called Defco Securities, Inc., where he was a partner.

In 2015, Matt Snell and his teammate Emerson Boozer were honored by being inducted into the New York Jets Ring of Honor. This special honor recognized their important contributions to the team's success. However, Matt chose not to attend the ceremony or other alumni events for many years. He later explained that this was because a former team owner had not provided a job reference he had been promised after his retirement.

Family and Legacy

Matt Snell lived in New Rochelle, New York with his wife, Sharon, and their children, Beau and Jada. His grandson, Donte, also played football for Holy Cross High School. Matt was a partner in DEFCO Securities, Inc. and owned a restaurant in New York City. He was also a distant cousin of another football player, Benny Snell. Matt Snell's incredible career and contributions to the New York Jets left a lasting legacy in the world of football.

See also

• List of American Football League players