Former quarterback Joe Namath has shared an emotional tribute following the passing of his longtime teammate Matt Snell, recalling the bond they forged during one of the most defining moments in professional football history.

Namath, who famously guaranteed victory before Super Bowl III, said that much of the credit for the historic win belonged to the powerful running back who controlled the game from the backfield.

Speaking about their final conversation before Snell’s death, Namath described the call as deeply emotional.

“Matt was the one who carried the team that day,” Namath said. “Without his toughness and the way he ran the football, we wouldn’t have had that championship.”

During that legendary matchup, Snell delivered one of the most physically demanding performances in Super Bowl history. Facing the heavily favored Baltimore Colts, he ran the ball 30 times for 121 yards — a Super Bowl rushing record at the time — and scored the only touchdown for the New York Jets in their stunning 16–7 victory.

The performance helped secure one of the greatest upsets the sport had ever seen, validating the American Football League on the national stage and cementing the legacy of the Jets’ championship team.

Namath said his memories of Snell extend far beyond the statistics recorded that night.

“He was a brother,” Namath said. “A real warrior.”

The former quarterback added that the conversation they shared shortly before Snell’s passing left a lasting impression on him. Though the two had spoken many times over the years, Namath said that final call carried a deeper sense of reflection about their shared journey and the bond formed through competition.

As tributes continue to emerge across the football community, Namath’s remarks have underscored the profound respect that teammates held for Snell — not only for his contributions on the field, but also for the loyalty and toughness that defined him throughout his life.