Matt Snell, the powerful fullback who scored the Jets' only touchdown in their historic Super Bowl III upset over the Baltimore Colts, died Tuesday at 84. His son, Beau Snell, confirmed the death from natural causes at an assisted-living facility on Long Island. Snell played his entire nine-year career with the Jets, teaming with Emerson Boozer and Joe Namath to form one of the NFL's most famous backfields.

A six-foot-two power runner with deceptive speed, Snell was the 1964 AFL Rookie of the Year and a three-time Pro Bowl selection. He rushed for 4,285 yards and 24 touchdowns, ranking fourth on the Jets' all-time rushing list. His 121-yard rushing performance in Super Bowl III set a record and helped legitimize the AFL before the 1970 merger. The Jets' 16-7 victory proved the younger league could compete with the NFL.

Snell retired at 31 due to injuries and later owned a contracting business. He remained estranged from the Jets organization for decades after reportedly being promised a lifetime job that never materialized. Though inducted into the team's Ring of Honor in 2015 alongside Boozer, Snell refused to attend the ceremony at MetLife Stadium, maintaining his distance from the franchise that made him a legend.