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Matt Snell
Matt Snell
from Wikipedia

Matthews Snell (born August 18, 1941) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the New York Jets of the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He was Jets' owner Sonny Werblin's first coup, prior to his 1965 acquisition of Joe Namath. A powerful fullback out of Ohio State University, Snell's 1964 signing jolted the crosstown Giants, who didn't draft Snell until the fourth round, and offered him a fraction of what the Jets gave him as their first-round choice.

Key Information

Early life

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Born to Isaac and Annie,[1] Snell attended Carle Place High School in the one-square-mile town of Carle Place, New York, where his picture resides in the Carle Place High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Snell played right halfback on a team that lost only two games while he started. He was awarded Newsday's Thorp Award for 1959 as the outstanding high school football player in Nassau County.

At Ohio State University, Snell was a three-year starter and a consummate team player, active on both sides of the ball. In 1961, he played right halfback, often blocking for fullback Bob Ferguson or left halfback Paul Warfield. In 1962, Snell was moved to defensive end. In 1963, Snell's senior year, he was named starting fullback, going on to rush for 491 yards and 5 touchdowns.[2] At the end of his senior season, Snell was named his team's most valuable player.

Snell was named to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team in 2000 as a defensive end.

Football career

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In his rookie year with the New York Jets, Snell rushed for a team-record 180 yards against the Houston Oilers on his way to a 945-yard season and AFL Rookie of the Year honors.[3] Snell went on to become an AFL Eastern Division All-Star in 1964 and 1966, and the Sporting News All-AFL fullback in 1969.

Snell's defining moment came in Super Bowl III when the AFL champion Jets played the heavily favored NFL champion Baltimore Colts. Although slowed by knee injuries, Snell was a key player in the Jets' ball-control offense during the 16–7 upset victory. He carried the ball 30 times for a then-Super Bowl record of 121 yards, and in the second quarter went four yards around left end to score the Jets' only touchdown, a score that marked the first time an AFL team had led in a Super Bowl. He also helped set up a trio of Jim Turner field goals that finally put the game away for the Jets in the second half, securing the AFL's first Super Bowl win in the league's penultimate season.

During his career, Snell was well known for his rushing, but also became an important part of the Jets' pass-blocking scheme. Toward the end of his career, Snell became one of the first third-down specialty backs, primarily because he was so good at protecting Joe Namath. He was also reported to have helped teach pass-blocking to Jets running backs during his career.

Snell suffered multiple injuries in his career, including torn knee cartilage in 1967 and a torn Achilles tendon in 1970. In 1971, he hurt his knee in the preseason and was diagnosed with a severe "knee bruise" and missed nine games. In 1972, in Week 4 versus the Miami Dolphins, he suffered a ruptured spleen. The injury was so severe that his spleen had to be removed, ending his season. He decided right then that he couldn't play anymore, though he didn't formally announce his retirement until the following March.[1] He only played in a total of 12 games in what would be his final three seasons.

Post-football

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In 1973, Snell appeared in the first Miller Lite beer commercial. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, "The campaign would feature a collection of middle-aged sports stars and become something of a status symbol for retired athletes for the next 17 years."[4]

After his playing career in 1973, he sold his restaurant, Matt Snell's Fifth Down, to focus on his new company, Defco Securities, Inc. (of which he is one of the four partners).[1]

Snell and Emerson Boozer were inducted into the Jets' Ring of Honor on November 29, 2015, because they were partners in each other's success and that of the team. Snell did not accept the Jets' invitation to participate in the ceremony at MetLife Stadium, just as he consistently has refused the club's invitations to other alumni events for unspecified reasons ever since he retired.[5] In 2018, Snell revealed that the reason he hasn't spoken to the Jets was because the team's owner at the time he left, Leon Hess, refused to give him a reference for a future job in spite of both being promised he would receive one, and in spite of his work to build the team's success over his professional football career.[6]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Y/G Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum FR
1964 NYJ 14 14 215 948 4.4 67.7 42 5 56 393 7.0 41 1 0 0
1965 NYJ 13 13 169 763 4.5 58.7 44 4 38 264 6.9 35 0 3 0
1966 NYJ 12 12 178 644 3.6 53.7 25 4 48 346 7.2 25 4 3 0
1967 NYJ 7 5 61 207 3.4 29.6 13 0 11 54 4.9 21 0 2 0
1968 NYJ 14 14 179 747 4.2 53.4 60 6 16 105 6.6 39 1 2 1
1969 NYJ 14 13 191 695 3.6 49.6 34 4 22 187 8.5 54 1 5 1
1970 NYJ 3 3 64 281 4.4 93.7 19 1 2 26 13.0 27 0 2 0
1971 NYJ 5 0 did not record any stats
1972 NYJ 4 0 did not record any stats
Career 86 74 1,057 4,285 4.1 49.8 60 24 193 1,375 7.1 54 7 17 2

Personal life

[edit]

Snell lives in New Rochelle, New York[1] with his wife Sharon, son Beau and daughter Jada. His grandson Donte played football for Holy Cross High School.[7] He is a partner in DEFCO Securities, Inc. and owns a restaurant in New York City.[8] He is the first cousin, twice removed of running back Benny Snell, with Benny Snell's grandfather being his first cousin.[9]

See also

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References

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Sources

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  • Curran, Bob (1965). The $400,000 Quarterback, or: The League That Came in From the Cold. New York, New York: Macmillan & Company, Inc. ISBN 0-8118-2276-1.
  • Gruver, Ed (1997). The American Football League: A Year-By-Year History, 1960-1969. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 0-7864-0399-3.
Preceded by American Football League
Rookie of the Year

1964
Succeeded by
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Matt Snell (born August 18, 1941) is an American former professional who played as a for the of the (AFL) and () from 1964 to 1972. Snell attended , where he played , and was selected by the Jets in the first round (third overall) of the 1964 AFL Draft (and also by the in the fourth round of the ), choosing to sign with the AFL team as its first major acquisition under owner Werblin. Over his nine-season career, exclusively with the Jets, he appeared in 86 games, rushing for 4,285 yards on 1,057 carries with 24 touchdowns, while adding 1,375 receiving yards and seven more scores. His standout year in 1964 saw him rush for 948 yards (second in the AFL), earning honors and a second-team selection. Snell received further nods in 1966 and 1969, along with multiple All-Pro recognitions, including first-team honors in 1969. Snell's most defining moment came in on January 12, 1969, when the Jets, as AFL champions, upset the heavily favored NFL champion 16–7 to secure the franchise's sole victory to date. In that game, he rushed for 121 yards on 30 carries—including a pivotal 4-yard run in the second quarter that provided the game's only —and caught four passes for 40 yards, controlling the clock and wearing down the Colts' defense in a performance that exemplified his hard-nosed, versatile running style. Injuries limited his play in later seasons, leading to his retirement after the 1972 campaign.

Early life and education

Family background and childhood

Matt Snell was born on August 18, 1941, in , Georgia, to parents and Annie Snell. His family came from a modest background, with his father having only a fifth-grade education and his mother an eighth-grade education; both worked jobs that provided limited income, reflecting the economic challenges faced by many African American families in the rural South at the time. During his childhood, Snell's family relocated from Georgia to , New York, where he was raised in a working-class environment that emphasized resilience and opportunity. Growing up on , Snell became a devoted fan of the . Snell became the first member of his family to attend college, earning a full scholarship to and setting a precedent that encouraged his siblings to pursue higher education as well. This achievement marked a significant departure from his family's limited formal education and highlighted the role of athletics and determination in breaking socioeconomic barriers.

High school career

Matt Snell attended Carle Place High School in , where he emerged as a standout athlete in football, , and during his three-year varsity career. As the starting right halfback for the Carle Place Frogs, Snell played a pivotal role in the team's dominant ground attack, contributing to an impressive 23-1 overall record. Under Snell's leadership as team captain, achieved back-to-back undefeated seasons in 1958 and 1959, showcasing his ability to drive the offense and anchor the defense. He set school scoring records and was recognized as the team's best player, earning widespread acclaim for his hard-nosed running style and versatility. In 1959, Snell's exceptional performance culminated in him winning the Thorp Award, presented annually to the most outstanding player in Nassau County. Snell's high school exploits quickly marked him as a promising prospect, with his picture later enshrined in the Carle Place High School Athletic Hall of Fame. These achievements drew attention from major college programs, paving the way for his recruitment to .

College career

Snell attended Ohio State University, where he played college football for the Buckeyes from 1960 to 1963. A versatile athlete, he contributed on both offense and defense during his tenure, initially seeing action as a running back and defensive end before shifting roles. Over his three seasons of varsity play (1961–1963), Snell demonstrated growing prowess as a ball carrier and blocker, helping to anchor the team's ground game amid moderate team records of 8–0–1 in 1961, 6–3 in 1962, and 5–3–1 in 1963. As a in 1961, Snell rushed for 197 yards on 50 carries (3.9 yards per carry) with one while also catching five passes for 61 yards. The following year, he transitioned to , recording eight receptions for 66 yards and one . His senior season in 1963 marked a return to the backfield as the starting fullback, where he became the focal point of the offense; he led the team with 491 rushing yards on 134 attempts (3.7 yards per carry) and five rushing s, earning team MVP honors for his leadership and productivity. Ranked 14th in the Big Ten in rushing yards and tied for 10th in rushing s that year, Snell's performance underscored his evolution into a featured . Across his college career, Snell amassed 688 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns on 184 carries, along with 13 receptions for 127 yards and one receiving score. His defensive contributions as an end were also notable, leading to his selection in 2000 to the Ohio State Football All-Century Team—chosen by the —primarily recognizing his work on that side of the ball. Snell's collegiate versatility and senior-year breakout helped elevate his draft stock, positioning him as a first-round pick (3rd overall) in the 1964 AFL Draft.

Professional football career

Draft and rookie season

Snell was selected by the in the first round, third overall, of the 1964 AFL Draft, while the picked him in the fourth round, 49th overall, of the concurrent NFL Draft. Although a lifelong Giants fan from his hometown of , Snell signed a one-year contract with the Jets after owner Sonny Werblin offered a higher bonus of $30,000 along with a $20,000 salary—compared to the Giants' $12,000 bonus and salary—and guaranteed him an immediate starting role as fullback, rather than having him sit behind established veterans for several seasons. Under head coach , who had taken over the Jets in 1963, Snell quickly adapted to the professional game's speed and physicality during his 1964 season. Building on his standout college performance at Ohio State, he appeared in all 14 games, starting 13, and established himself as the team's primary rusher. Snell's output included 948 rushing yards on 215 carries for an average of 4.4 yards per attempt, setting a then-AFL record for rookies and earning him the AFL Rookie of the Year honors from the . He also contributed as a receiver with 56 catches for 393 yards, showcasing his versatility in Ewbank's offensive scheme and helping the Jets improve to a 5-8-1 record.

New York Jets achievements

Matt Snell played 86 games as a fullback for the from 1964 to 1972, establishing himself as the team's leading rusher with 4,285 yards upon his retirement. As of 2025, his total remains the fourth-highest in franchise history. In his season of , Snell set an AFL rookie rushing record with 948 yards on 215 carries, earning and second-team honors while serving as a key component of the Jets' ground attack. He also established a franchise single-game rushing mark with 180 yards on 31 carries against the on October 17, . The following year, in 1965, he led the team with 763 rushing yards and added 38 receptions for 264 yards, showcasing his versatility in both rushing and receiving roles. Snell's contributions continued into the late 1960s, including a limited but supportive role in the 1967 season where he appeared in seven games for 207 rushing yards amid injuries, helping the Jets achieve their first winning record at 8-5-1. In 1968, he rebounded with 747 rushing yards and six touchdowns, ranking sixth in the AFL while forming a dynamic backfield tandem with that bolstered the team's 11-3 regular-season mark. As the power fullback in coach Weeb Ewbank's balanced offense, Snell excelled at blocking for quarterback , providing crucial protection on passing plays and complementing Namath's arm strength with a reliable ground presence that opened up the aerial attack. His chemistry with Namath, built through shared plays like jump passes and screen receptions, enhanced the Jets' offensive efficiency during their rise in the AFL. These efforts culminated in the team's AFL championship appearance, setting the stage for .

Super Bowl III

Super Bowl III took place on January 12, 1969, at the in , Florida, where the defeated the heavily favored 16-7 in a landmark upset. The victory, driven by a strong ground game and stout defense, marked the first time an (AFL) team won the championship game against an NFL opponent. Matt Snell, the Jets' fullback, delivered a standout performance, rushing for 121 yards on 30 carries and scoring the game's only on a 4-yard run in the second quarter. His effort set a record for rushing attempts at the time and established him as the workhorse of the Jets' offense, controlling the clock and wearing down the Colts' defense. As a fullback, Snell also provided crucial blocking for quarterback , helping to protect the passer on key third-down situations and enabling effective play-action passes that kept the Colts off balance. Snell's contributions extended beyond his rushing, as his physical presence as a lead blocker opened lanes for the Jets' offense and contributed to the team's overall ball-control strategy. Following the game, Snell emerged as a strong candidate for honors, with Namath himself stating he believed Snell deserved the award for his dominant ground attack. Ultimately, the MVP went to Namath for his leadership and guarantee of victory, but Snell's efforts were pivotal. The win held profound , legitimizing the AFL and bolstering support for the ongoing AFL-NFL merger, which would fully integrate the leagues by 1970.

Injuries and retirement

Throughout his nine-year NFL career, Matt Snell endured a series of debilitating injuries that progressively limited his playing time and ultimately forced his retirement. These included torn knee cartilage in 1967, which sidelined him for seven games; a ruptured Achilles tendon in 1970; a severe knee bruise in 1971 that caused him to miss nine games; and a broken rib in 1972. The most severe incident occurred during a game against the on October 8, , when Snell suffered two cracked ribs on a kickoff return, leading to a ruptured . He underwent emergency surgery the following day at , where Dr. John Vieta removed the spleen after administering three blood transfusions to address massive —a condition that can prove fatal within hours to weeks if untreated. This life-threatening injury ended his season after just four games and marked his fourth major operation in nine professional seasons. On March 23, 1973, at age 31, Snell announced his retirement from professional football at a news conference in , citing the cumulative toll of his injuries as the primary reason. Reflecting on the decision, he recalled his mother's emotional plea during his recovery from the spleen : "She was crying and looked at me and said, 'Are you going to quit now?' I had really never broken a promise to my mother," which solidified his resolve to end his playing career and pursue non-athletic endeavors.

Career statistics

College statistics

During his three seasons at Ohio State from 1961 to 1963, Matt Snell recorded 688 rushing yards on 184 carries, averaging 3.7 yards per attempt, while scoring 6 rushing touchdowns. He also contributed 127 receiving yards on 13 catches with 1 receiving touchdown, bringing his total offensive production to 815 yards. These figures reflected Snell's role as a versatile back in Woody Hayes' offense, where he split time between offense and defense early in his career. Snell's senior season in 1963 marked his most productive year statistically, as he rushed for 491 yards on 134 attempts—ranking seventh in the Big Ten—with an average of 3.7 yards per carry and 5 touchdowns. His efforts helped power Ohio State's ground game, averaging 3.8 from his scoring output alone. In addition to his offensive output, Snell played during his sophomore year in 1962, contributing to the Buckeyes' defensive efforts in an era of two-way play. His overall college performance, highlighted by his 1963 rushing totals, positioned him as a top prospect, leading to his selection as the third overall pick in the 1964 AFL Draft by the . Key game highlights from 1963 underscored Snell's impact, such as his 1-yard run midway through the third quarter against Texas A&M, capping an 80-yard, 14-play drive to give Ohio State a 7-0 lead in a 17-0 victory. In the season finale against rival , a 14-10 win that extended Ohio State's streak to four straight over the Wolverines, Snell carried 16 times for 52 yards, including key gains during a crucial 76-yard fourth-quarter drive. These performances exemplified his physical running style and reliability in high-stakes situations.
YearGamesRush AttRush YdsYPCRush TDRecRec YdsRec TD
19619501973.915610
19629000.008661
196381344913.75000
Career261846883.76131271

Professional statistics

Matt Snell played nine seasons in the (AFL) and (NFL), primarily as a fullback for the from 1964 to 1972, accumulating 1,057 rushing attempts for 4,285 yards and 24 touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. His receiving contributions included 193 catches for 1,375 yards and 7 touchdowns, showcasing his versatility as a blocker and pass-catcher in the Jets' backfield. In the playoffs, Snell recorded 63 rushing attempts for 253 yards and 1 , along with 6 receptions for 64 yards, with his standout performance coming in where he rushed for 121 yards on 30 carries and scored the game's only . These postseason numbers highlighted his role in the Jets' upset victory over the . Snell's career featured several strong seasons, particularly early on. In 1964, his rookie year, he rushed for 948 yards on 215 attempts with 5 s and caught 56 passes for 393 yards and 1 . He followed with 763 rushing yards in 1965 and 644 in 1966, while his 1968 season included 747 rushing yards and 6 s en route to the . Later years saw reduced production due to injuries, such as 207 yards in 1967 and 281 in 1970.
SeasonTeamRushing (Att/Yds/Avg/TD)Receiving (Rec/Yds/TD)
1964NYJ215/948/4.4/556/393/1
1965NYJ169/763/4.5/438/264/0
1966NYJ178/644/3.6/448/346/4
1967NYJ61/207/3.4/011/54/0
1968NYJ179/747/4.2/616/105/1
1969NYJ191/695/3.6/422/187/1
1970NYJ64/281/4.4/12/26/0
1971NYJ0/0/0.0/00/0/0
1972NYJ0/0/0.0/00/0/0
Career1057/4285/4.1/24193/1375/7
Snell's 4,285 rushing yards rank him among the top historical rushers for the Jets franchise.

Post-football life

Business ventures

After retiring from professional football in 1973, Matt Snell expanded his involvement in the securities industry, building on an initial foray he began during his playing career. In spring 1972, while still active with the , Snell became one of four partners in Defco Securities, Inc., a firm focused on new stock issues and operating on . Parallel to his securities work, Snell owned and operated a in called Matt Snell's Fifth Down, established on February 10, 1971, at 718 Second Avenue near 39th Street. The venue served as a casual dining spot, with Snell personally engaging in its operations, including greeting patrons at the opening event. However, to avoid overextending himself, Snell sold the restaurant in March 1973, with the deal closing on March 19, allowing him to devote full time to Defco post-retirement. Snell's transition faced challenges amid the 1974 recession, when he sought a position in the construction industry and requested a from the Jets' owners, who refused, straining his relationship with the organization. Despite this setback, he continued his partnership in Defco during the 1970s. Later, Snell entered the construction industry, owning a business in , as of 2022.

Media and public honors

Following his retirement from professional football, Matt Snell gained visibility in popular media through his appearance in the inaugural beer commercial in 1973, where he was featured as a former star promoting the new low-calorie beer alongside the "Tastes Great, Less Filling." This ad, produced by McCann-Erickson, marked the launch of one of the most iconic beer campaigns in history and highlighted Snell's enduring recognition as a hero. In 2015, Snell was inducted into the during a halftime ceremony on November 29, alongside teammate , to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the franchise and honor key contributors from the era. Despite the accolade, Snell declined to attend or participate, citing deep-seated grievances with the organization that dated back decades. He also skipped the 50th anniversary celebration of in 2019. Snell's estrangement from the Jets organization originated from a perceived after the departure of principal owner Werblin, who had personally recruited Snell in and promised him a permanent executive role within the team upon retirement. Subsequent management failed to uphold this commitment, leading Snell to feel snubbed and prompting him to distance himself from all Jets-related events thereafter. Beyond team-specific recognitions, Snell has been acknowledged in broader AFL legacy discussions, including consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's All-Time AFL Team in 2005, where he was noted among top running backs for his impact during the league's formative years.

Personal life

Family relationships

Matt Snell married his wife, Sharon, and together they have two children: a son named Beau and a daughter named Jada. Snell has credited his family with playing a pivotal role in his educational journey, as he became the first member of his family to attend college at . His mother encouraged his academic pursuits after being convinced by ' assurances of a degree and support for serious students. Snell's immediate family has remained a central part of his life post-retirement.

Later years and residence

Snell has resided in , with his wife Sharon. Snell's great-nephew, Benny Snell Jr., has carried on the family tradition in professional football as a , drafted by the in the fourth round of the out of the ; he has since appeared in multiple seasons with the team, contributing as a power back in their rushing attack. In a 2025 interview, the 83-year-old Snell (turning 84 in August) reflected on his legacy as the hero, emphasizing his pivotal 121-yard rushing performance and lone touchdown that helped secure the Jets' upset victory, while expressing ongoing frustration over unfulfilled promises from team ownership. He has declined honors such as the Jets' induction in 2015 and the 50th anniversary of in 2019 due to these grievances.

References

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