Nick Mangold, an extremely popular player during his 11-season career in New York Jetsdied at the age of 41.
Earlier this month, Mangold said he needed a kidney transplant and called on Jets and Ohio State fans to help him after he discovered no one in his family had his blood type, meaning he couldn't get a kidney donation from them. The former offensive lineman added that he underwent dialysis after being diagnosed with a rare genetic disease in 2006. “This message is not easy to share, but I want to be open about what is going on with me and my health,” Mangold said at the time.
Mangold was a first-round draft pick out of Ohio State by the Jets in 2006. NFL During that time, the center anchored the offensive line along with D'Brickashaw Ferguson, helping the Jets reach two AFC Championship games. He is currently an inductee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His durability was widely admired, and he missed just four games in his first 10 seasons in the NFL.
“Nick was more than just a legendary center,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. “He was the heart of our offensive line for a decade and a beloved teammate whose leadership and resilience defined an era of Jets football. Off the field, Nick's wit, warmth and unwavering loyalty made him a valued member of our extended Jets family.”
Mangold was a fan favorite, known for his long hair, beard and outgoing personality. He was active on social media and was rarely seen without his backwards baseball cap. After retiring, he regularly attended Jets games—he was drinking beer when he was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor in 2022—and stayed there when his playing days ended, becoming an assistant coach at Delbarton High School in Morristown, New Jersey.
He was married to his childhood sweetheart Jenny, with whom he had four children: Matthew, Eloise, Thomas and Charlotte. His sister Holly represented the United States at the 2012 Olympics in weightlifting.
