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Nick Mangold, an adored athlete during his eleven-year tenure with the New York Jets, has passed away at the age of 41.

Health Battle and Public Appeal

In early announcements, Mangold disclosed he had been undergoing dialysis and required a kidney transplant. He sought help from fans of the Jets and Ohio State, where he shone 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 hoped I would have had more time.

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

Illustrious Football Career

Mangold was a first-round pick out of Ohio State for the Jets in 2006. He spent his entire professional football career with the franchise, securing seven trips to the Pro Bowl and was a league All-Pro twice before he retired in 2016. During that time, the center anchored an offensive line alongside D’Brickashaw Ferguson that helped 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 missed only 4 games in his initial ten seasons in the league.

“Nick was more than a iconic center,” the team’s owner said in a statement. “He was the heartbeat of our offensive line for a decade and a cherished teammate whose leadership and grit defined an period of Jets football. Off the field, Nick’s wit, kindness, and steadfast loyalty made him a treasured member of our broader Jets family.”

Beloved Figure and Post-Retirement Life

Mangold was a huge favourite with supporters, recognized for his flowing locks, facial hair, philanthropy and outgoing character. He was active on social media and was rarely seen without his backwards baseball cap. He was a regular visitor 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 region when his playing days were over, becoming an coach for Delbarton High School in Morristown, New Jersey.

“You get to mold young men into men and instruct the game of football, but also impart them a something about the world as you go along,” Mangold told a newspaper in 2024.

Former head coach Rex Ryan, who coached Mangold at the Jets, was emotional as he recalled his former player on television. “It’s brutal,” Ryan commented. “Such a great young man. 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 last game, Mangold’s hurt – like, injured – and he comes to me and says, ‘I’m playing this game.’ And he wanted to play for me.”

Personal Life and Legacy

Mangold was wed to his childhood sweetheart, Jenny, with whom he had 4 kids, Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte. His sibling, Holley, competed for 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 fortunate I am to have such an incredible home, friends, and community behind me.”