Emerson Boozer and Matt Snell were the Jets’ 1-2 punch at running back for their Super Bowl III championship, and the Jets have announced that both men will be added to the team’s Ring of Honor together in a ceremony at halftime of the team’s November 29 game against the Dolphins.
There’s little doubt that Boozer and Snell are worthy of recognition in Jets franchise history, but it was a little surprising to see the news that Snell will be honored because Snell has long been at odds with the Jets. Just a couple weeks ago, Snell confirmed to the New York Post that he still holds a grudge that has lasted for more than 40 years, apparently because he believes the Jets mistreated him when he retired in 1972. When told that Jets fans would love to see him in the Ring of Honor, Snell replied, “I’m not interested in being honored.”
However, PFT has been told that the Jets are hopeful that Snell will attend the Ring of Honor ceremony. If Snell chooses not to participate, the Jets will honor him in his absence. The team thinks Snell is an important enough figure in franchise history that he needs to be included in the Ring of Honor, even if he would rather sit it out.
That’s the right call: Although Super Bowl III will always be remembered primarily for Joe Namath’s guaranteed victory, Snell ran 30 times for 121 yards and scored the Jets’ only touchdown and easily could have been chosen as MVP over Namath in that game. The Jets wouldn’t have a Lombardi Trophy if not for Snell, and he belongs in their Ring of Honor no matter what has transpired over the last four decades.
For his part, Boozer says he’s excited to be honored alongside Snell.
“It’s a great feeling,” Boozer said in a statement released by the Jets. “It’s an anticipation, something that I hoped would occur, not so much this year but in my lifetime. I don’t know whether we were Butch and Sundance, but we were a pretty tough duo.”
It would be nice for Jets fans to see that duo together one more time in November.
