Nick Mangold obit

Nick Mangold, former Jets star center, dies at age 41

 

He was not on the list.

Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold, a franchise legend who endeared himself to fans and teammates with his blue-collar, every-man demeanor, has died due to complications from kidney disease, the team announced Sunday. He was 41.

Mangold's death came 12 days after he made a public appeal for a kidney transplant.

"Nick was more than a legendary center," Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. "He 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's wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family."

On Oct. 14, Mangold announced that he was diagnosed in 2006 with a rare genetic disorder and that he was undergoing kidney dialysis. He directed his message to the Jets and Ohio State communities, asking for a kidney because no one in his family shared his type O blood type.

"This isn't an easy message to share, but I want to be open about what's been happening with me and my health," Mangold said at the time.

Mangold is among 52 modern-era candidates currently being considered for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

After an All-America career at Ohio State, Mangold was a first-round draft pick in 2006. That year, the Jets also drafted left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson in the first round.

Known as "Nick & Brick," they became the leaders of an offensive line that paved the way for playoff appearances in 2006, 2009 and 2010 -- the franchise's last trip to the postseason -- under coach Rex Ryan.

"It's brutal. Such a great young man. I had the pleasure of coaching him for all six years [I was coach] with the Jets," Ryan, now an ESPN analyst said Sunday, fighting through tears. "I remember, it was obvious I was getting fired, my last game Mangold is injured -- like injured -- and he comes to me and says, 'I'm playing this game.' And he went in and played for me. That's what I remember about this kid. He was awesome and just way too young. I feel so bad for his wife and family."

Known for his toughness and cerebral approach, Mangold became one of the most decorated centers in the NFL. He made seven Pro Bowls and was twice named a first-team All-Pro. In 2009, he was a calming influence for rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez, who overcame his turnover issues to help the Jets to the first of two straight appearances in the AFC Championship Game.

Mangold was inducted into the Jets' Ring of Honor in 2022. The bearded Mangold, wearing his trademark backward baseball cap, punctuated his speech to the stadium by cracking open a can of beer -- much to the delight of the crowd. He was seldom seen in public without his backward baseball cap.

More than anything, Mangold was known for his toughness. He played five straight years before missing his first game, and he wound up missing only four in his first 10 seasons. He missed eight games with a foot injury in 2016 -- his last NFL season.

"Nick was a great man in every aspect ... an all-time teammate and a great friend ... heartbroken for his family," former Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick told ESPN on Sunday.

After being released by the Jets, Mangold drew interest from the Baltimore Ravens, but he decided to retire after 11 seasons with the Jets. He started 164 of 176 games.

Mangold, who lived in New Jersey, became an assistant football coach for Delbarton School in Morristown.

"You get to mold boys into men and teach the game of football -- but also teach them a little bit about life as you go along," Mangold told the New York Post in 2024.

Mangold is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and their four children Matthew, Eloise, Thomas and Charlotte.

Mangold was born on January 13, 1984. He grew up in Centerville, Ohio, and attended Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, where he was a letterman in football, wrestling, and track & field. In football, he was a three-year starter on both offense and defense; as a senior, he garnered All-Ohio honors. He also earned three letters in wrestling and two in track and field, competing in the shot put.

Mangold was completely unregarded by recruiting services including Rivals.com and Scout.com. Regardless, he played in the 2002 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Mangold attended Ohio State University in Columbus and was a three-year starter at center for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team. He was rated on par with former Buckeye All-American and 2001 Rimington Trophy winner LeCharles Bentley by offensive line coach Jim Bollman. "Most guys you get out of high school have to be taught to play center. He already knew the mechanics of the position. That was a big, big advantage," said Bollman. Mangold was known for his durability and logged over 300 minutes of action in several seasons.

In his true freshman year, Mangold appeared in eight games as the backup for Alex Stepanovich, who later went to the NFL. In 2003, Stepanovich suffered a knee injury in the second game of the season vs. San Diego State. Mangold entered the game and started the final 11 games of the season. When Stepanovich returned, he shifted to playing guard and Mangold continued to man the center position.

After a "tremendous performance" at the 2006 Senior Bowl, Mangold was widely regarded as the top center available in the 2006 NFL draft, ahead of 2005 Outland Trophy and Rimington Trophy winner Greg Eslinger.

The New York Jets selected Mangold in the first round (29th overall); they had just used their No. 1 pick on offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson in an effort to rebuild their offensive line. The Jets originally acquired the pick from the Atlanta Falcons in a trade for John Abraham. It marked the first instance of a team drafting two offensive linemen in the first round after the 1975 NFL draft, when the Los Angeles Rams took Dennis Harrah and Doug France. Mangold was the only center selected in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft.

Replacing Kevin Mawae at center, Mangold had a good rookie season, allowing only 0.5 sacks, committing only three penalties, and making all the line calls. He was so impressive he garnered some Rookie of the Year talks, an honor that is not usually mentioned about centers. As a rookie in 2006, Mangold started all 16 games at the center position. From 2007 through 2010, Mangold started all 16 games in each season. The Jets made the playoffs twice during the span in the 2009 and 2010 seasons, but lost to the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers in two AFC Championship games respectively.