🔗 Share this article Jets Legend Nick Mangold Passes Away at 41 While Pursuing Kidney Transplant Nick Mangold, a beloved player during his eleven-year tenure with the New York Jets, has passed away at the young age of 41. Health Struggle and Public Appeal Earlier this month, Mangold shared he had been undergoing dialysis and required a kidney transplant. He reached out for assistance from supporters of the Jets and Ohio State, where he shone in his collegiate years. “In 2006, I was diagnosed to have a hereditary condition that has led to chronic kidney disease. After a rough summer, I’m on dialysis as we look for a kidney transplant,” he wrote at the time. “I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had longer. “Sadly, 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 search 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 franchise, securing seven trips to the Pro Bowl and was an All-Pro twice before he stepped away in 2016. During that era, the offensive lineman anchored an O-line alongside D’Brickashaw Ferguson that helped the Jets advance to two AFC championship games. He is currently a candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Mangold’s durability was highly respected and he sat out only four games in his initial ten seasons in the league. “Nick was more than a legendary center,” the team’s owner remarked in a statement. “He was the soul of our offensive line for a ten years and a respected teammate whose leadership and toughness characterized an period of Jets football. Off the field, Nick’s humor, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family.” Beloved Figure and Later Life Mangold was a massive favorite with fans, known for his flowing locks, beard, charitable work and outgoing personality. He was engaged on social media and was rarely seen without his backwards baseball cap. He was a frequent attendee to Jets games after his retirement – he downed a beer while being inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2022 – and remained in the region when his career were over, becoming an coach for Delbarton High School in Morristown, New Jersey. “You get to shape young men 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. Former coach Rex Ryan, who led Mangold at the Jets, was in tears as he remembered his former player on a sports show. “It’s heartbreaking,” Ryan said. “Such a great person. I had the honor of coaching him for all six years with the Jets. I remember it was obvious I was getting released, my final match, 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.” Personal Life and Impact Mangold was married to his childhood sweetheart, 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 illness he paid tribute to his loved ones, saying they had “been my rock every phase of the way. This situation has reminded me how fortunate I am to have such an incredible home, friends, and network behind me.”