Remembering Matt Snell

Broadcasting greats, Merle Harmon, Curt Gowdy and probably Chuck Thompson called it, Matt Snell, who carried 30 times for 121 yards in the historic tilt, turned the left corner, “TDing,” from 4 yards out and the New York Jets, incredibly 18 point underdogs and less unbelievable, led (7-0) en route to a (16-7) third Supe win.

Matt Snell died days back at age 84 that game’s MVP (certainly a great case for Snell winning that award can be made), and everlasting legend due to it and prowess, Joe Namath’s touching words of remembrance,  “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,” truly resonate with this non Jets fan and surely those who savor the lone time, the franchise as much as played for the title.

Those Jets had built quite a team, starting with Namath in ’65 and with Matt, Em Boozer, George Sauer, Don Maynard and others never ought to have been with seen so little chance at as much as staying close to an excellent, to that point, (15-1) Baltimore Colts team.

The story is known, Namath “guaranteed” victory and as much, if not more than anybody, (alas the Jets rise up defense and 3 “Toe” Jim Turner FG’s, the next year Jan Stenerud had 3, big “dog” which was even more ridiculous K.C. Chiefs (23-7’d) Minne, the merger was “justified” (never really was as at most 3 AFL teams were good enough but a common draft et.al, all leading to today’s mega success as structured), the determined running and performance of Matt Snell made it happen.

Matt Snell is pictured below.

Click to get to YouTube and see Matt Snell score the Jets’ lone Touchdown in their historic (16-7) win vs the heavily favored Baltimore Colts.

Curt Gowdy called it, excellent analysts, Al DeRogatis (he is referenced by Kyle as Al) and Kyle Rote are part of it.