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Nick Mangold, a beloved player during his eleven-year tenure with the Jets franchise, has passed away at the young age of 41.

Medical Struggle and Community Appeal

In early announcements, Mangold shared he had been undergoing dialysis and required a kidney transplant. He sought support from fans of the Jets and Ohio State, where he shone in his collegiate years.

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

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

Storied Football Career

Mangold was a first-round pick out of Ohio State for the Jets in 2006. He dedicated his whole professional football career with the team, earning 7 trips to the Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro on two occasions before he stepped away in 2016. During that period, the center led an offensive line alongside D’Brickashaw Ferguson that contributed to the Jets reach two AFC championship games. He is presently a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mangold’s durability was widely admired and he sat out only 4 games in his first 10 seasons in the league.

“Nick was not just a iconic center,” franchise ownership remarked in a statement. “He was the heartbeat of our O-line for a decade and a cherished teammate whose leadership and toughness defined an era of Jets football. Away from the game, Nick’s humor, warmth, and steadfast dedication made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family.”

Fan Favorite and Later Life

Mangold was a massive favorite with fans, recognized for his flowing locks, facial hair, charitable work and outgoing character. He was engaged on social media and was seldom spotted without his backwards baseball cap. He was a frequent attendee to Jets games after his retirement – he downed a beer while being honored into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2022 – and stayed in the region when his career were over, taking on the role of an coach for Delbarton High School in Morristown, New Jersey.

“You get to shape young men into adults and teach the game of football, but also teach them a little bit about life as you go along,” Mangold told a newspaper in 2024.

Ex- coach Rex Ryan, who coached Mangold at the Jets, was in tears as he remembered his ex- player on television. “It’s heartbreaking,” Ryan said. “Such a wonderful person. I had the honor of coaching him for the full six seasons with the Jets. I recall it was clear I was getting fired, my final match, Mangold’s injured – like, injured – and he comes to me and says, ‘I’m participating in this game.’ And he wanted to play for me.”

Personal Life and Impact

Mangold was married to his childhood sweetheart, Jenny, with whom he had four kids, Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte. His sibling, Holley, represented USA at the 2012 Olympics in the sport of weightlifting.

When he announced his condition he praised his family, saying they had “been my support every step of the way. This circumstance has made me realize how lucky I am to have such an incredible home, friends, and network behind me.”