Mathews Snell

Matt Snell, former running back for the New York Jets who scored the teams only touchdown in Super Bowl III, passed away from natural causes on March 10th, 2026, in East Meadow, New York at the age of 84.

Born July 22nd, 1941, in Swainsboro, Georgia, Matt grew up in Locust Valley, New York on Long Island. He attended Carle Place high school where he was a three-year starter on the football team where today he is remembered in the school's Athletic Hall of Fame.

After high school Matt went on to play football for legendary coach Woody Hayes at the Ohio State University, where he played multiple positions and was a key player in the teams 1961 Big Ten Championship victory.

After graduating from Ohio State Matt was drafted by the New York Jets of the AFL in 1964, where he went on to win AFL Rookie of the Year, the first of three years in which he was an AFL All-Star pick. But he is best known for his performance in Super Bowl III where he rushed for 121 yards on 31 carries and had 3 receptions for 40 yards as the Jets upset the highly favored Baltimore Colts 16-7. In 2015 Matt was inducted into the New York Jets ring of honor.

After football Matt went on to work various fields. He owned a restaurant, a liquor store. He was a partner in Defco Securities. He finally settled in the construction industry in New York City where he owned Snellco Construction and later S.C.I. Ltd. where his company primarily did general contract work for the Dormitory Authority of the state of New York and the New York City School Construction Authority.

Matt is survived by his wife Sharon; his children Beau and Jada; his grandson Donte; and his siblings Dorothy Robinson of Lakeview, New York, Viola O'Neal of Houston, Texas and Isaac Snell of Chicago, Illinois and a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Arrangements Entrusted to Roslyn Heights Funeral Home

Cremation is private.