Matt Snell was central to the history of a Jets franchise he could never forgive

Matt Snell was a phenom from Carle Place, L.I., who scored the only touchdown in the Jets’ historic Super Bowl III upset of the NFL Baltimore Colts and easily could have won MVP honors (121 yards rushing on 30 attempts) that went to Joe Namath.

Snell, born in Garfield, Ga., died from natural causes Tuesday morning at age 84.

He is survived by son Beau, daughter Jada and grandson Donte.

“To me, he was my hero, he was bigger than life, he was a gentle giant,” Beau Snell told The Post from his Queens Village home. “Loved his family, loved his children, and was just a humble, quiet man.”

Beau, 55, was born one year and five months after his father’s 4-yard touchdown rumble behind left tackle Winston Hill gave the Jets a 7-0 Super Bowl lead.

“He always talked about that even though Joe was the one that bragged about it, they all had a quiet confidence that they could win that game,” Beau said.

Matt Snell was a bruising 6-foot-2, 220-pound fullback out of Ohio State who spurned the NFL Giants, who had drafted him in the fourth round and offered him a $5,000 signing bonus in 1964, to play for Sonny Werblin’s AFL Jets, who offered more and made him the No. 3 overall pick.

“The Giants had taken another running back — Joe Don Looney — in the first round,” Matt Snell said once. “They also still had Frank Gifford and Alex Webster, and they wanted me to come in, sit behind them and learn for a year or two. I didn’t want to do that. I think you learn by doing, and I saw the Jets as an opportunity to play right away.”

Beau recalled that Matt’s parents appreciated Werblin speaking with them after Matt had signed with the Jets.

“Just took the time to actually meet with them afterwards and spend time with them and make them feel comfortable that he had made the right choice signing with the Jets,” Beau said.

Matt Snell rushed for 948 yards and five TDs and was AFL Rookie of the Year, and in 1965, Werblin signed Broadway Joe — who would make his famous guarantee in the days leading up to Super Bowl III.

“We really had no fear of Baltimore in that game,” Matt Snell said.

Matt recalled Werblin telling him after Jets 16, Colts 7 at the Orange Bowl: “We did it!”

Beau never heard his father complain about not winning the MVP.

“But it’s funny because everyone says, ‘Well we know who the real MVP of the Super Bowl was,’ ” Beau said. “I believe the Jets gave him a car [Cadillac] as a consolation prize.”

Matt Snell played all of his nine seasons with the Jets, was a three-time AFL All-Star, but his post-career relationship with the team became shrouded in bitterness and nonexistent, and sadly, he took his grudge to the grave with him.

Snell wouldn’t confide the reason to his family.

“I can’t really give you any information on that,” Beau said. “He kind of kept that to himself. He never liked to talk about it.”

Matt Snell told Boy Green Daily last August that his disenchantment originated when then-Jets owner Leon Hess would not give him a letter of recommendation during the 1974 recession.

Snell joined the Jets Ring of Honor at MetLife Stadium in 2015, but he chose not to attend the ceremony.

“He wouldn’t tell me why,” Beau said.

Beau was a running back at Iona Prep and American International College, and Donte was a cornerback at Holy Cross High School. Beau was left with the same impression as everyone else when he watched clips of his father play.

“A punishing tough runner, had good hands out of the backfield,” Beau said. “And was a devastating blocker.”

The injury bug (knee, Achilles, ruptured spleen) eventually forced his father out. He was the club’s career rushing leader (4,285 yards) when he hung up his No. 41.

“I just figured I was 32 years old and tired of rehabbing,” Matt Snell said once. “I just decided to hang it up.”

He went into the securities business and restaurant business, and became the first Miller Lite pitchman. He later went into the construction business in Jersey City.

Funeral arrangements were still in the works.

“It’s gonna be a private ceremony just for the immediate family,” Beau said. “The family appreciates everyone’s thoughts and prayers, but is just asking for privacy at this time of grieving and reflection.”

Thanks for the memories, Matt Snell.