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Nick Mangold, a cherished athlete during his 11-season tenure with the Jets franchise, has passed away at the age of 41.

Health Struggle and Community Appeal

Earlier this month, Mangold revealed he had been receiving dialysis and required a kidney transplant. He sought assistance from supporters of the Jets and Ohio State, where he excelled in college.

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

“Unfortunately, I do not have any family able to donate at this time, so this is why I’m reaching out to you, our Jets and Ohio State followers. I am in need of a kidney donor with type O blood.”

Illustrious Football Career

Mangold was a top draft selection out of Ohio State for the Jets in 2006. He spent his whole professional football career with the franchise, earning seven trips to the Pro Bowl and was a league All-Pro on two occasions before he retired in 2016. During that period, the offensive lineman anchored an O-line alongside D’Brickashaw Ferguson that helped the Jets advance to two AFC championship games. He is presently a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mangold’s resilience was highly respected and he missed only 4 games in his first 10 seasons in the league.

“Nick was not just a iconic center,” franchise ownership said in a release. “He was the soul of our O-line for a decade and a cherished teammate whose leadership and grit characterized an period of Jets football. Off the field, Nick’s wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our broader Jets family.”

Fan Favorite and Post-Retirement Life

Mangold was a huge favorite with fans, recognized for his flowing locks, beard, charitable work and engaging personality. He was engaged on digital platforms and was rarely seen without his backwards baseball cap. He was a frequent attendee to Jets matches after his playing days – he downed 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 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 impart them a little bit about life as you go along,” Mangold told the press in 2024.

Former coach Rex Ryan, who coached Mangold at the Jets, was emotional as he recalled his former player on a sports show. “It’s heartbreaking,” Ryan commented. “Such a wonderful person. I had the pleasure of coaching him for the full six seasons with the Jets. I recall it was obvious I was getting fired, my final match, Mangold’s injured – like, injured – 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 childhood sweetheart, Jenny, with whom he had 4 kids, Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte. His sister, Holley, represented USA at the London Games in the sport of weightlifting.

When he announced his illness he thanked his family, saying they had “been my rock every step of the way. This circumstance has made me realize how lucky I am to have such an amazing home, friends, and community behind me.”