New York Jets legend Nick Mangold dies at age 41 while seeking kidney transplant | New York Jets

Nick Mangold, a popular player during his 11-season career with the New York Jets, has died at the age of 41.

Earlier this month, Mangold said he was seeking a kidney transplant and urged Jets and Ohio State fans to help after he discovered no one in his family matched his blood type, meaning he couldn’t get a kidney donation from them. The former offensive lineman added that he was on dialysis after being diagnosed with a rare kidney disease in 2006. “This is not an easy message to share, but I want to be open about what’s going on with me and my health,” Mangold said at the time.

Mangold was a first-round pick out of Ohio State for the Jets in 2006. He spent his entire NFL career with the team, earning seven trips to the Pro Bowl before retiring in 2016. During that time, the center anchored an offensive line alongside D’Brickashaw Ferguson that helped the Jets reach two AFC Championship Series appearances. He is currently a nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His toughness was widely admired and he missed just four games in his first ten NFL seasons.

“Nick was more than just a legendary center,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. “He was the beating heart 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’s intelligence, warmth and unwavering loyalty made him a treasured member of the extended Jets family.”

Mangold was a fan favorite, known for his long hair, beard, and outgoing personality. He was active on social media and was rarely seen without his baseball cap backwards. He was a regular visitor to Jets games after his retirement — he drank 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 assistant coach at Delbarton High School in Morristown, New Jersey.

He was married to his childhood sweetheart, Jenny, with whom he had four children, Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte. His sister Holly represented the USA at the 2012 Olympics in weightlifting.

When he announced his illness, he paid tribute to his family, saying they “have been my rock every step of the way. This situation has reminded me how lucky I am to have such amazing family, friends, and community behind me.”