The family of former Matt Snell has confirmed the cause of his passing, describing his final days as marked by quiet dignity and deep family presence.

While the football world remembers Snell as the powerful running back who helped define one of the most unforgettable moments in professional football, his loved ones say the man they knew was far more than the hero of Super Bowl III.

To millions of fans, Snell will forever be the player who delivered the only touchdown for the New York Jets in their stunning 16–7 victory over the heavily favored Baltimore Colts in 1969 — a performance that included 121 rushing yards on 30 carries, a Super Bowl record at the time.

But according to his family, those accomplishments were never the way they defined him.

In a statement shared following his passing, relatives said that in the final chapters of his life, Snell faced significant personal and health challenges that he carried with quiet strength. They described a man who remained deeply devoted to those closest to him, prioritizing family above the fame that followed his historic NFL career.

“For the world he was a Super Bowl hero,” the family shared in their message. “For us, he was a loving father, a devoted husband, and the center of our family.”

They also acknowledged that the final years brought difficult moments, including health struggles that he endured privately and with resilience. Surrounded by loved ones, Snell spent his last days in the calm and dignity that his family says reflected the character he carried throughout his life.

As tributes from across the football community continue to pour in, the family hopes that people will remember not only the athlete who helped reshape professional football history, but also the man behind the legend — someone whose greatest victories, they say, were the relationships and memories he built away from the spotlight.