New York Jets Legend Dies At 41

The New York Jets football community is in mourning this Sunday.

Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold has died at the age of 41.

Mangold’s death comes just two weeks after he publicly announced he needed a kidney transplant.

The New York Post reported more on Mangold’s death:

Jets legend Nick Mangold died on Saturday night just two weeks after he publicly revealed he needed a kidney transplant.

Mangold was 41 years old. On Oct. 14, Mangold announced that he had been diagnosed in 2006 with a genetic defect that led to chronic kidney disease. He said he had a “rough summer” and was undergoing dialysis while seeking a kidney transplant.

“I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had more time,” Mangold said in a statement.

Former Jets coach Rex Ryan got emotional while describing Mangold’s character:

Rex Ryan mourns the loss of his former player Nick Mangold following his death from kidney disease. pic.twitter.com/xhpJJ0yue3

— ESPN (@espn) October 26, 2025

The tributes came pouring in on X:

Rest easy Nick Mangold.. My positive prayers & thoughts are with his family

Thru AJ, I’ve learned so much about him. The man, the dad, the husband, the teammate, the EVERYTHING great he was for everybody in his life.

The world lost a damn good man and obviously a legendary… pic.twitter.com/f675oNQFpV

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 26, 2025

We are heartbroken to share the news of Nick Mangold’s sudden passing.

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 26, 2025

The New York Jets provided a brief overview of the Jets center:

“Nick was the embodiment of consistency, strength, and leadership,” said Jets Vice Chairman Christopher Johnson. “For over a decade, he anchored our offensive line with unmatched skill and determination, earning the respect of teammates, opponents, and fans alike. His contributions on the field were extraordinary — but it was his character, humility, and humor off the field that made him unforgettable.”

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Mangold began to bond with the Green & White family as soon as he arrived as the 29th selection of the first round of the 2006 draft out of Ohio State. Combining forces with LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson, the fourth selection of that draft, Mangold led the transformation of the Jets’ O-line into a stable platform that helped produce three playoff teams, including two AFC Championship Game units, and four winning teams from 2006-10.

Being the rock in the middle of the line was more than just a saying. Mangold stepped into the pivot from day one in ’06 and snapped the ball to every Jets quarterback until late in the 2016 season. He started and played in every Jets game from ’06 until early in 2011, 89 games including seven playoff games, until a high ankle sprain sustained early that season against Jacksonville sidelined him for the first time as a pro.

Two games later, he returned to the lineup to start the next 59 games before missing another. In all he started 171 games for the Jets, including those seven postseason contests.

Mangold was named first-team All-Pro after his 2009 and ’10 seasons, second-team All-Pro in ’11, and was voted to the AFC Pro Bowl rosters after the 2008-11 and ’13-15 seasons. His seven Pro Bowl selections are one shy of the franchise record held by Pro Football Hall of Fame tackle Winston Hill, Mangold’s Ring of Honor teammate.

Mangold’s induction announcement into the team’s Ring of Honor was made June 2, 2022, simultaneously with the announcements of the inductions of Ferguson and CB Darrelle Revis into the Ring. Mangold was honored at his own MetLife Stadium halftime ceremony during Game 3 against Cincinnati on Sept. 25, 2022.

Last week, Mangold was among the 52 Modern-Era players who cleared the second hurdle toward becoming a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. In about five weeks, that list will be reduced to 25 semifinalists, then to 20 finalists, then to the Hall’s four to eight newest members, which will be announced the day before Super Bowl LX.