Nick Mangold’s long, blond hair and bushy beard made him instantly recognizable. His gritty, outstanding performances on the field for the New York Jets made him one of the franchise’s greatest players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mangold, a two-time All-Pro center who helped lead the Jets to the AFC championship game twice, has died, the team announced Sunday<\/a>. He was 41.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Jets said in a statement that Mangold died Saturday night from complications of kidney disease. His death came less than two weeks after the two-time All-Pro selection announced on social media that he had kidney disease<\/a> and needed a transplant. He said he didn’t have any relatives who were able to donate, so he went public with the request<\/a> for a donor with type O blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had more time,\u201d he wrote in an Oct. 14 message directed to the Jets and Ohio State communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhile this has been a tough stretch, I\u2019m staying positive and focused on the path ahead. I\u2019m looking forward to better days and getting back to full strength soon. I\u2019ll see you all at MetLife Stadium & The Shoe very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mangold said he was diagnosed with a genetic defect in 2006 that led to chronic kidney disease. He was on dialysis while waiting for a transplant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNick was more than a legendary center,\u201d Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. \u201cHe was the heartbeat of our offensive line for a decade and a beloved teammate whose leadership and toughness defined an era of Jets football. Off the field, Nick\u2019s wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Jets announced Mangold’s death about an hour before they beat the Cincinnati Bengals 39-38<\/a> for their first win of the season. A moment of silence was held in the press box before the game. Mangold grew up in Centerville, Ohio \u2014 about 45 miles north of Cincinnati \u2014 but remained in New Jersey, close to the Jets’ facility, after his playing career ended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jets coach Aaron Glenn was a scout for the franchise during Mangold’s playing career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA true Jet, through and through. … He was the heart and soul of this team,\u201d Glenn said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mangold was a first-round draft pick of the Jets in 2006 out of Ohio State and was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times. He helped lead New York within one win of the Super Bowl during both the 2009 and 2010 seasons and was enshrined in the Jets\u2019 ring of honor in 2022. Wearing his cap backward, as he almost always did in public, Mangold capped his speech at MetLife Stadium that day by cracking open a can of beer<\/a> and toasting the fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mangold was among 52 modern-era players<\/a> who advanced earlier this week in the voting process for next year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He was the anchor of New York’s offensive line his entire playing career, spending all 11 seasons with the Jets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was fortunate to have the opportunity to lace them up with you every Sunday,\u201d Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis, Mangold’s teammate for eight years, wrote on X<\/a>. \u201cI will miss you and forever cherish our moments in the locker room. Love you buddy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mangold started every game during his first five seasons and missed only four games in his first 10 years before an ankle injury limited him to eight games in 2016, his final season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt’s brutal,\u201d former Jets coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan said during \u201cSunday NFL Countdown\u201d<\/a> while fighting through tears. \u201cSuch a great young man. I had the pleasure of coaching him for all six years with the Jets (from 2009-14). I remember it was obvious I was getting fired, my last game, Mangold’s injured \u2014 like, injured \u2014 and he comes to me and says, \u2018I\u2019m playing this game.’ And he wanted to play for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat’s what I remember about this kid. He was awesome. And it’s just way too young. I feel so bad for his wife and family. (This is) rough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mangold was released by the team in 2017 and didn’t play that season. The following year, he signed a one-day contract with the Jets to officially retire as a member of the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRest in peace to my brother & teammate Nick Mangold,\u201d tweeted former running back Thomas Jones<\/a>, who played three years with Mangold. \u201cI keep seeing your smiling face in the huddle bro. One of the kindest people I\u2019ve ever met. One of the greatest interior linemen to ever play the game. This one hurts. Surreal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Several other former teammates mourned the loss of Mangold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAbsolutely gutted,\u201d former wide receiver David Nelson, who played with Mangold for two seasons, wrote on X<\/a>. \u201cOne of the best guys I\u2019ve ever met \u2014 true legend on and off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n