Celebrity
NFL Legend Dies At 41 — Just Weeks After Revealing Heartbreaking Diagnosis
NFL enthusiasts are astonished.
Only two weeks after disclosing his struggle with renal disease, New York Jets icon Nick Mangold has passed away at the age of 41.
Diagnosed in 2006.
Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold, a highly esteemed figure in the team’s history, died on October 26, as announced by the organization.
The Ohio resident recently disclosed on social media their struggle with chronic renal disease resulting from a genetic abnormality. On Tuesday, October 14, Mangold published an earnest letter directed to his previous teams and communities.
“To my NY Jets & Ohio State Buckeye communities,”
“This isn’t an easy message to share, but I want to be open about what’s been happening with me and my health.”
“In 2006, I was diagnosed with a genetic defect that has led to chronic kidney disease. After a rough summer, I’m undergoing dialysis as we look for a kidney transplant. I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had more time.”
He stated that no relatives could donate a kidney, leading him to seek assistance from his broader community.
“Unfortunately, I do not have any family able to donate at this time, so this is why I’m reaching out to you, our NY Jets and Ohio State communities. I am in need of a kidney donor with type O blood”
Mangold also contemplated the assistance he had garnered from friends and family during his struggle:
“Most of all, I’m thankful for my family, who have been my rock every step of the way. This situation has reminded me how lucky I am to have such an amazing family, friends, and community behind me.”
How he became a center
“While this has been a tough stretch, I’m staying positive and focused on the path ahead. I’m looking forward to better days and getting back to full strength soon. I’ll see you all at MetLife Stadium & The Shoe very soon.
With Gratitude, Nick Mangold.”
Nick Mangold’s ascent to becoming one of the NFL’s premier centers commenced in seventh grade. When the center on his junior high squad fractured his hand, the coach urgently need someone to execute the snap.
“I said, ‘Shoot, I’ll try,’” Mangold told the AP in 2009. “I’ve been a center ever since.”
Mangold, a cherished personality both on and off the field, dedicated all 11 of his NFL seasons to the Jets. He was recognized for his keen wit and ability to amuse his teammates. He frequently ambled into the Jets locker room adorned in a luxurious green robe, intricately embroidered with his name and jersey number, 74.
“Nick was a jokester man, he always kept everything funny,” former teammate Damien Woody told New York Post. “He always had those one-liners that would get you in the moment. Man, he was just such a great dude. He was a family guy that would give you the shirt off his back. You couldn’t ask for a better man, a better teammate.”
The 6-foot, 305-pound center received seven Pro Bowl nominations and was designated First-Team All-Pro in successive years, 2009 and 2010.
In 2010, he attained the status of the highest-paid player at his position by signing a seven-year contract with the New York Jets, theoretically valued at $55 million.
Inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor
Following his retirement in 2016, he was enshrined in the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2022, serving as a permanent homage to one of the franchise’s greatest players.
Jets owner Woody Johnson issued a statement honoring Mangold’s legacy:
“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.”
Mangold is survived by his spouse, Jenny, and their four offspring: Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte.
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