Nick Mangold, legendary New York Jets center, dies from kidney disease at 41, team announces

Nick Mangold, a legendary player in New York Jets history, died suddenly from kidney disease, the team announced Sunday.

The news comes two weeks after the seven-time NFL Pro-Bowler revealed he was on dialysis and looking for a kidney donor. He was 41 years old.

Mangold said in a letter to the Jets community that he was diagnosed with a genetic abnormality in 2006 that led to his chronic kidney disease. The letter said he had been going through a “difficult time” recently.

“More than a legendary center”

Mangold played his entire career with New York from 2006 to 2016. He was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2022 as one of the greatest centers of all time.

“Nick was more than a legendary center. He was the heart of our offensive line for a decade and a beloved teammate whose leadership and tenacity defined an era of Jets football,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement posted on the team’s website. “Off the field, Nick’s spirit, warmth and unwavering loyalty have made him a valued member of our extended Jets family.”

The Jets drafted Mangold out of Ohio State with the 29th overall pick in 2006. He started 171 games in his 11 seasons, including seven in the playoffs.

“Nick Mangold will always be a Jet,” Johnson added.

“I was blessed to have the opportunity to associate with you every Sunday,” Darrelle Revis, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and Mangold’s teammate for eight years, wrote on X. “I will miss you and will forever cherish our times in the locker room. I love you buddy.”

Mangold was an Ironman with everyman quality

Mangold started every game in his first five seasons and missed only four games in his first 10 years before an ankle injury limited him to eight games in 2016. He was released by the team in 2017 and did not play that season. The following year, he signed a one-day contract with the Jets to officially retire as a member of the team.

“Rest in peace to my brother and teammate Nick Mangold,” tweeted former running back Thomas Jones, who played three years with Mangold. “I keep seeing your smiling face in the huddle. One of the nicest people I’ve ever met. One of the greatest interior linemen to ever play the game. This one hurts. Surreal.”

“It’s brutal,” former Jets coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan said on “Sunday NFL Countdown” while crying. “He’s a great young man. I had the pleasure of coaching him for six years with the Jets (2009-2014). I remember it was obvious I was going to get fired, my last game, Mangold is injured – like, injured – and he comes to me and says, ‘I’m playing this game.’ And he wanted to play for me.

“That’s what I remember about that kid. He was great. And he’s just way too young. I feel so bad for his wife and his family. (It’s) hard.”

Mangold was the ultimate team guy

Mangold’s No. 74 jersey remained a popular jersey with fans at games, even nine years after he played his last NFL game. He was active in charity events and often dressed as Santa Claus for the team’s holiday celebrations for children.

“Nick epitomized consistency, strength and leadership,” Jets vice president Christopher Johnson said in a statement. “For more than a decade, he anchored our offensive line with unmatched skill and determination, earning the respect of his teammates, opponents and fans. His contributions on the field were extraordinary, but it was his character, humility and humor off the field that made him unforgettable.”

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

Mangold is eligible for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The team said a roster of 52 players, including Mangold, will be whittled down over the next few months as up to eight new members are selected.

Hall of Fame inductees will be announced the day before Super Bowl LX.