Nick Mangold, a hugely popular player during his 11-season career with the New York Jets, has died at the age of 41.
Earlier this month, Mangold said he was seeking a kidney transplant and urged Jets and Ohio State fans to help after he discovered that no one in his family matched his blood type, meaning he could not receive a kidney donation from them. The former offensive lineman added that he had been undergoing dialysis after being diagnosed with a genetic condition that led to kidney disease. “This isn’t an easy message to share, but I want to be open about what’s been happening with me and my health,” Mangold said at the time.
Mangold was a first-round pick out of Ohio State for the Jets in 2006. He spent his entire NFL career with team, earning seven trips to the Pro Bowl before he retired in 2016. During that time, the center anchored an offensive line alongside D’Brickashaw Ferguson that helped the Jets reach two AFC championship games. He is currently a nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His toughness was widely admired and he missed only four games in his first 10 seasons in the NFL.
“Nick was more than a legendary center,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. “He was the heartbeat of our offensive line for a decade and a beloved teammate whose leadership and toughness defined an era of Jets football. Off the field, Nick’s wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family.”
Mangold was a huge favorite with fans, known for his long hair, beard and outgoing personality. He was active on social media and was rarely seen without his backwards baseball cap. He was a regular visitor to Jets game after his retirement – he chugged a beer while being inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2022 – and stayed in the area when his playing days were over, becoming an assistant coach for 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, Holley, represented USA at the 2012 Olympics in weightlifting.
When he announced his illness he paid tribute to his family, saying they had “been my rock every step of the way. This situation has reminded me how lucky I am to have such an amazing family, friends, and community behind me.”
