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

Medical Struggle and Public Appeal

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

“In 2006, I was found to have a genetic defect that has resulted in chronic kidney disease. After a rough summer, I’m undergoing dialysis as we search 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.

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

Illustrious NFL Career

Mangold was a first-round pick out of Ohio State for the Jets in 2006. He spent his whole professional football career with the team, securing 7 trips to the Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro twice before he stepped away in 2016. During that era, the offensive lineman fortified an O-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 highly respected and he missed only four games in his initial ten seasons in the league.

“Nick was not just a iconic center,” the team’s owner said in a release. “He was the core of our offensive line for a decade and a respected teammate whose leadership and toughness defined an era of Jets football. Off the field, Nick’s humor, warmth, and unwavering dedication made him a treasured member of our broader Jets family.”

Beloved Figure and Post-Retirement Life

Mangold was a massive favourite with supporters, known for his flowing locks, facial hair, charitable work and engaging character. He was engaged on digital platforms and was rarely seen without his backwards baseball cap. He was a frequent visitor to Jets matches after his retirement – he chugged a beer while being inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2022 – and remained 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 game of football, but also impart them a little bit about life as you go along,” Mangold told the press in 2024.

Ex- coach Rex Ryan, who led Mangold at the Jets, was in tears as he remembered his former player on television. “It’s brutal,” Ryan commented. “Such a great person. I had the honor of coaching him for the full six seasons with the Jets. I remember it was obvious I was getting released, my final match, Mangold’s hurt – like, injured – and he comes to me and states, ‘I’m playing this game.’ And he desired to play for me.”

Family Life and Impact

Mangold was wed to his longtime partner, Jenny, with whom he had 4 children, Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte. His sister, Holley, competed for USA at the 2012 Olympics in the sport of weightlifting.

When he announced his condition he paid tribute to his family, stating they had “been my support every phase of the way. This circumstance has reminded me how fortunate I am to have such an incredible home, friends, and network behind me.”