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Nick Mangold, a cherished athlete during his eleven-year tenure with the New York Jets, has died at the age of 41.

Health Struggle and Public Appeal

Earlier in the month, Mangold disclosed he had been receiving dialysis and required a kidney transplant. He reached out for help from fans of the Jets and Ohio State, where he shone in his collegiate years.

“Back in 2006, I was found to have a hereditary condition that has led to chronic kidney disease. After a challenging summer, I’m undergoing dialysis as we seek a kidney transplant,” he stated at the time. “I was always aware this day would come, but I hoped I would have had longer.

“Sadly, I do not have any family willing to donate at this time, so this is why I’m appealing to you, our Jets and Ohio State communities. I am in search of a kidney donor with type O blood.”

Storied Football Career

Mangold was a top draft selection out of Ohio State for the Jets in 2006. He dedicated his whole professional football career with the franchise, securing 7 trips to the Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro twice before he stepped away in 2016. During that period, the offensive lineman led an offensive line together with D’Brickashaw Ferguson that contributed to the Jets reach two AFC championship games. He is currently a nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mangold’s resilience was widely admired and he missed only 4 games in his first 10 seasons in the league.

“Nick was more than a legendary center,” franchise ownership remarked in a statement. “He was the heartbeat of our O-line for a ten years and a respected teammate whose leadership and toughness characterized an era of Jets football. Away from the game, Nick’s wit, warmth, and unwavering dedication made him a treasured member of our broader Jets family.”

Fan Favorite and Post-Retirement Life

Mangold was a massive favorite with fans, recognized for his flowing locks, facial hair, charitable work and engaging personality. He was active on social media and was rarely seen without his backwards baseball cap. He was a frequent attendee to Jets games after his playing days – he chugged a beer while being inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2022 – and remained in the area when his career were over, becoming an coach for Delbarton High School in Morristown, New Jersey.

“You get to mold boys into adults and instruct the sport of football, but also teach them a little bit about life as you go along,” Mangold told a newspaper in 2024.

Former coach Rex Ryan, who coached Mangold at the Jets, was emotional as he remembered his former player on television. “It’s brutal,” Ryan commented. “Such a great young man. I had the pleasure of coaching him for the full six seasons with the Jets. I remember it was obvious I was getting fired, my last game, Mangold’s injured – like, seriously hurt – and he comes to me and says, ‘I’m playing this game.’ And he wanted to play for me.”

Family Life and Impact

Mangold was married to his longtime partner, Jenny, with whom he had four children, Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte. His sibling, Holley, represented USA at the London Games in the sport of weightlifting.

When he revealed his illness he paid tribute to his family, saying they had “been my support every step of the way. This circumstance has reminded me how lucky I am to have such an incredible family, companions, and community behind me.”