New York Jets' Nick Mangold Dead At 41 After Pleading for Kidney Transplant

Former New York Jets star Nick Mangold has died. He was 41.

“We are heartbroken to share the news of Nick Mangold’s sudden passing,” the New York Jets official X account shared on Sunday, October 26, announcing the former player’s death. According to a press release issued by the team, Mangold died on Saturday, October 25, from complications of kidney disease.

Mangold had opened up about his diagnosis just days earlier, sharing with fans that his health was dire as he was awaiting a kidney transplant.

“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 wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, October 14. “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 more time.”

Many in the Jets and NFL community mourned the death of the former star on Sunday.

“Nick was more than a legendary center,” Jets Chairman 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.”

Jets Chairman Christopher Johnson also remembered the former star as an “embodiment of consistency, strength, and leadership.”

“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,” Johnson continued.

On Sunday’s episode of Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN, former Jets head coach and current analyst Rex Ryan reacted to the news.

“It’s brutal. Such a great young man,” Ryan, who coached Mangold for six seasons, said on the show while fighting back tears. “I had the pleasure of coaching him for six years on the Jets.

He continued: “[Mangold] was awesome, and just way too young. I feel so bad for his wife and family.”

Mangold and his wife, Jenny, share four children: son Matthew, 14, daughter Eloise, 11, son Thomas, 9, and daughter Charlotte, 7.

Mangold played 11 seasons for the Jets from 2006 to 2016. He was a two-time All Pro and was selected to seven Pro Bowl games during his NFL tenure.

He started every Jets game from 2006 until early 2001, when an ankle injury broke his 89-game streak. Two games after his injury, he returned to the lineup and played the next 59 games straight. All in all, he started 171 games for the Jets, including seven playoff games.

Mangold was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor in 2022. Just last week, he took another step towards becoming a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, joining 52 other players still eligible for induction. The Hall will continue to filter that list until reaching the newest inductees, which will be announced the day before Super Bowl LX.