Beloved Jet passes away at 41.
It wasn’t long ago that Nick Mangold announced on X (Twitter) that he needed a kidney transplant. He never got the chance to get that gift he sought. Mangold passed away last Sunday due to complications of kidney disease.
Nick Mangold had battled chronic kidney disease since a 2006 diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder, and then he went on dialysis. Many fans were stunned that he reached out for a new kidney, and even more of a shock to learn of his quick passing, at the age of 41 no less.
Photo courtesy Cincinnati Enquirer
Let’s be clear about this: Mangold was one of us, a man who took pride in being a New York Jet. The seven-time Pro Bowler represented the franchise’s greatest days, including two appearances in AFC Championship games. He was one of Jets head coach Eric Mangini’s best draft classes in 2006. He always gave back to the community. There was a reason why he was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor immediately after his retirement.
He was durable as an offensive lineman; you have to be when you play in the league for 11 years. Mangold was a grinder, a player you could rely on to be a quarterback protector, which he did year after year. Due to injuries, many players who could have played longer were unable to do so. Alijah Vera-Tucker is a recent example.
Before he arrived, the Jets were becoming a run-of-the-mill team. Mangold laid the foundation for a turnaround alongside Darrelle Revis and D’Brickashaw Ferguson. The three of them played a role in the team making a couple of AFC championship game appearances.
It’s strange that we (the fans) would take for granted a guy like Mangold, a two-time first-team All-Pro who epitomized toughness and had a personality to match. He was a great teammate, too, always helpful to younger players. Even during the Jets’ down years, he never changed.
Mangold was a winner. He could do no wrong with the Jets. He never embarrassed the organization on and off the field. He played with such a joy that it became infectious with the team. There’s something to be said about building a team with great character, and Mangini knew how to find these guys when he worked for the Jets. Mangold fit everything Mangini wanted on his team.
Yes, he was a special person indeed, and that explains why so many have stepped forward in the past few days, offering testimonials from his past teammates and coaches after his passing.
Those who followed his career know that he had two primary goals in pro football: Hall of Fame induction and winning a championship. My bet is that Mangold will be in the Hall of Fame soon, even though he won’t be there to experience it personally.
It will be an emotional day when the Jets return home on November 9 to play the Browns. There’s no doubt Mangold will be honored. He won’t be around to hear how much Jets fans love him.
