Fans mourn beloved NFL legend Nick Mangold after his passing at 41
The former New York Jets star’s courageous fight with kidney disease touched hearts across the football world.
NFL fans are mourning the loss of former New York Jets star Nick Mangold, who passed away at just 41 years old — only weeks after revealing his battle with chronic kidney disease.
The team confirmed his death on October 26, leaving the football community stunned and heartbroken.
Just two weeks earlier, Mangold shared an emotional open letter on social media addressed to his New York Jets and Ohio State Buckeyes communities. In it, he revealed that he had been living with a genetic defect leading to chronic kidney disease, diagnosed back in 2006.
“In 2006, I was diagnosed with a genetic defect that has led to chronic kidney disease,” he wrote. “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.”
The Ohio State football program is saddened by the news of Nick Mangold’s passing and sends heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/cvYMOGJ5iC
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 26, 2025
Mangold explained that no family members were able to donate a kidney, so he reached out publicly for help, asking anyone with type O blood to consider becoming a donor. Despite his illness, he shared that he was staying positive and focused on “better days ahead.”
“Most of all, I’m thankful for my family, who have been my rock every step of the way,” he added. “This situation has reminded me how lucky I am to have such an amazing family, friends, and community behind me.”
The man behind the number 74
Nick Mangold’s journey to football greatness began unexpectedly in seventh grade, when he volunteered to play center after a teammate’s injury. “I said, ‘Shoot, I’ll try,’” he told the Associated Press in 2009. “I’ve been a center ever since.”
That simple choice set him on a path to an unforgettable career.
Mangold played all 11 of his NFL seasons with the New York Jets, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and back-to-back First-Team All-Pro honors in 2009 and 2010. Known for his strength, leadership, and humor, he was often seen walking through the Jets locker room in a plush green robe embroidered with his name and number — a lighthearted reminder that football was about family, too.
“Nick was a jokester, man,” former teammate Damien Woody told the New York Post. “He was just such a great dude, a family guy who’d give you the shirt off his back. You couldn’t ask for a better man, a better teammate.”
In 2010, Mangold became the highest-paid center in NFL history after signing a seven-year, $55 million contract — but fame never changed his humble nature.
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After his retirement in 2016, Mangold was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2022, a recognition reserved for the team’s greatest legends.
Jets owner Woody Johnson paid tribute to Mangold’s impact in a heartfelt statement:
“Nick was more than a legendary center. 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.”
Beyond statistics and accolades, those who knew him remember his laughter, generosity, and deep love for his family. Mangold is survived by his wife, Jenny, and their four children — Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte.
As fans, teammates, and loved ones mourn Nick’s passing, they also celebrate the man who brought unity, humor, and courage to every field he ever walked on. His legacy will forever remind the football world that true greatness lies not only in victories, but in kindness and grace.
