Copyright timesnownews
Former New York Jets centre Nick Mangold, an icon of the team who was known for his leadership qualities, has died at the age of 41, the team announced on Sunday. Mangold's death comes less than two weeks after he made a public appeal for a kidney transplant. Earlier this month, he revealed that he had been diagnosed in 2006 with a rare genetic disorder and was undergoing dialysis. He had appealed to the Jets and Ohio State communities for a donor, noting that no one in his family shared his type O blood type. "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 in his statement on 14 October. Jets owner Woody Johnson paid tribute to Mangold, calling him "more than a legendary centre." "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," Johnson said. "Off the field, Nick's wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family." Mangold was among 52 modern-era candidates being considered for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A first-round draft pick in 2006 after an All-America career at Ohio State, Mangold became a cornerstone of the Jets' offensive line alongside fellow first-round selection D'Brickashaw Ferguson. The pair, known as "Nick & Brick", helped power the team to playoff appearances in 2006, 2009 and 2010 – the franchise's most recent postseason runs under coach Rex Ryan. Ryan, now an ESPN analyst, paid an emotional tribute to his former player. "It's brutal. Such a great young man," he said on Sunday. "I remember my last game – it was obvious I was getting fired – and Mangold was injured, really injured. He came to me and said, ‘I'm playing this game.' And he went in and played for me. That's what I remember about this kid. He was awesome and just way too young. I feel so bad for his wife and family." Mangold was one of the league's most respected linemen, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honours. Known for his intelligence on the field, he played a key role in steadying rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez during the Jets' 2009 playoff run. After his retirement, Mangold was inducted into the Jets' Ring of Honor in 2022. True to his easy-going persona, he marked the occasion by cracking open a beer on stage – a moment that delighted fans at MetLife Stadium. Renowned for his durability, Mangold missed only four games in his first 10 seasons, playing five straight years before his first absence. A foot injury in 2016 sidelined him for eight games, marking his final NFL campaign. In total, he started 164 of 176 games before retiring after 11 seasons with the Jets. "Nick was a great man in every aspect … an all-time teammate and a great friend," former Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. "Heartbroken for his family." Following his playing career, Mangold became an assistant football coach at Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey. "You get to mould boys into men and teach the game of football – but also teach them a little bit about life as you go along," he told the New York Post in 2024.
