🔗 Share this article

Nick Mangold, a beloved player during his 11-season career with the Jets franchise, has passed away at the young age of 41.

Health Battle and Public Appeal

Earlier this month, Mangold disclosed he had been undergoing dialysis and required a kidney transplant. He sought help from supporters of the Jets and Ohio State, where he was a star in his collegiate years.

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

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

Illustrious NFL Career

Mangold was a top draft selection out of Ohio State for the Jets in 2006. He dedicated his entire professional football career with the team, earning 7 trips to the Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro twice before he retired in 2016. During that period, the center fortified an O-line alongside D’Brickashaw Ferguson that contributed to the Jets reach two AFC championship games. He is presently a nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mangold’s toughness was highly respected and he sat out only 4 games in his initial ten seasons in the league.

“Nick was more than a legendary center,” the team’s owner said in a release. “He was the heartbeat of our offensive line for a ten years and a beloved teammate whose leadership and grit defined an era of Jets football. Away from the game, Nick’s humor, warmth, and unwavering dedication made him a treasured member of our broader Jets family.”

Beloved Figure and Later Life

Mangold was a massive favorite with fans, recognized for his flowing locks, beard, charitable work and engaging character. He was engaged on digital platforms and was seldom spotted without his reverse baseball cap. He was a frequent visitor to Jets games after his playing days – he chugged a beer while being honored into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2022 – and stayed in the region when his playing days were over, taking on the role of an assistant coach for Delbarton High School in Morristown, New Jersey.

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

Ex- head coach Rex Ryan, who led Mangold at the Jets, was in tears as he remembered his ex- player on television. “It’s brutal,” Ryan said. “Such a great person. I had the honor of coaching him for all six years with the Jets. I recall it was obvious I was getting released, my final match, Mangold’s injured – like, injured – and he approaches 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, competed for USA at the 2012 Olympics in weightlifting.

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