Nick Mangold's long blond hair and thick beard made him instantly recognizable. His outstanding play on the field for the New York Jets made him one of the franchise's greatest players.
Mangold, a two-time first-team All-Pro center who twice helped the Jets reach the AFC Championship Game, has died, the team announced Sunday. He was 41.
The Jets said in a statement that Mangold died Saturday night from complications of kidney disease. His death came less than two weeks after the two-time All-Pro selection announced on social media that he had kidney disease and needed a transplant. He said that he had no relatives who could become donors, so he publicly asked for a donor with type 1 blood.
“I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had more time,” he wrote in an Oct. 14 message to the Jets and Ohio State communities.
“Although it has been a difficult period, I remain positive and focused on the journey ahead. I'm looking forward to better days and to be back at full strength soon. See you at MetLife Stadium & The Shoe very soon.”
Mangold said he was diagnosed in 2006 with a genetic defect that led to chronic kidney disease. He was on dialysis while awaiting a transplant.
“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 have made him a valued member of our extended Jets family.”
A moment of silence
The Jets announced Mangold's death about an hour before they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 39-38 for their first win of the season. There was a moment of silence in the press box before the game. Mangold grew up in Centerville, Ohio, about 45 miles north of Cincinnati, but after his playing career ended, he remained in New Jersey, near the Jets' home base.
Jets coach Aaron Glenn was a scout for the franchise during Mangold's playing career.
“The true Jet in every way… He was the heart and soul of this team,” Glenn said.
Mangold was a first-round draft pick of the Jets in 2006 out of Ohio State and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. He helped New York to one Super Bowl victory in the 2009 and 2010 seasons and was inducted into the Jets' 2022 Ring of Honor. Wearing his cap backwards, as he almost always did in public, Mangold concluded his speech at MetLife Stadium that day by cracking open a can of beer and toasting the fans.
Hall of Fame Candidate
Mangold was among 52 modern-era players who advanced earlier this week in the voting process for next year's Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He was a mainstay on New York's offensive line throughout his playing career, playing all 11 seasons with the Jets.
“I'm lucky enough to be able to connect them with you every Sunday,” Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrell Revis, Mangold's teammate for eight years, wrote on X. “I will miss you and will forever cherish our moments in the locker room. Love you, buddy.”
Mangold started every game during his first five seasons and missed only four games in his first 10 years before an ankle injury limited him to eight games in 2016, his final season.
“It's brutal,” former Jets coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan said on “Sunday NFL Countdown,” fighting back tears. “Such a wonderful young man. I had the pleasure of coaching him all six years with the Jets. [from 2009-14]. I remember it was obvious I was going to get fired, it was my last game, Mangold was injured—like, injured—and he comes to me and says, “I'm playing this game.” And he wanted to play for me.
“That's what I remember about this child. He was amazing. And he's too young. I feel so sorry for his wife and family. [This is] rude.”
Mangold was released by the team in 2017 and did not play that season. The following year, he signed a one-day contract with the Jets to officially retire from the team.
“Rest in peace to my brother and teammate Nick Mangold,” tweeted former running back Thomas Jones, who played for Mangold for three years. “I see your smiling face in the crowd all the time, bro. One of the kindest people I've ever met. One of the greatest linemen to ever play the game. It hurts. Surreal.”
Several other former teammates mourned the loss of Mangold.
“Absolutely devastated,” wrote former wide receiver David Nelson, who played for Mangold for two seasons, on X. “One of the best guys I've ever met – a true legend on and off the field.”
Former forward Jay Feely, Mangold's teammate for two seasons, wrote: “Heartbreaking news this morning. Nick and I played together on the Jets and loved to joke about the Michigan-Ohio St. rivalry. He was a natural leader, a great player, thoughtful, kind and larger than life.”
Mangold's No. 74 jersey remained a popular choice for fans to wear to games, even nine years after his last NFL game. He was active in charity events and often dressed as Santa Claus for the team's children's parties.
“Nick was the epitome of consistency, strength and leadership,” Jets vice president Christopher Johnson said in a statement. “For over a decade he has anchored our forward line with unparalleled skill and determination, earning the respect of his teammates, opponents and fans alike. His contributions on the field were outstanding, but it was his character, humility and humor off the field that made him unforgettable.”
Mangold is survived by his wife Jennifer and four children: Matthew, Eloise, Thomas and Charlotte. Mangold's sister, Holly, was a member of the 2012 U.S. Olympic team and competed as a heavyweight in the weightlifting competition.
