Jets Legend Nick Mangold Dies at 41 After Battle With Kidney Disease
The New York Jets have announced the death of former center Nick Mangold, who passed away on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at the age of 41, due to complications from kidney disease. His death comes less than two weeks after he publicly revealed that he was undergoing dialysis and in urgent need of a kidney transplant.
Earlier in October, Mangold shared a letter on social media addressed to “My NY Jets community,” explaining that he had been diagnosed in 2006 with a genetic defect that led to chronic kidney disease. He said that after a difficult summer, he was receiving dialysis while awaiting a kidney donor. In the same message, he said he had always known this day would come, but believed he would have had more time. He added that no relatives were eligible to donate and appealed for a type O blood donor from among the Jets and Ohio State communities.
— Nick Mangold (@nickmangold) October 14, 2025
Mangold was born in Centerville, Ohio, and became a standout center at Ohio State University before being selected by the New York Jets as the 29th overall pick in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. That same year, the Jets drafted left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson with the fourth overall pick, forming one of the most stable offensive line pairings in the league. Together, they helped lead the Jets to three playoff appearances, including two AFC Championship Games, and four winning seasons between 2006 and 2010.
Mangold quickly became the foundation of the Jets’ offense. He started every game from 2006 through early 2011, appearing in 89 consecutive games, including seven playoff games, before a high ankle sprain forced him to miss his first professional game. He returned two weeks later and continued to anchor the line until his retirement after the 2016 season. In total, he started 171 games for the Jets, including postseason contests.
Over his career, Mangold was selected to seven Pro Bowls, one short of the franchise record held by Pro Football Hall of Famer Winston Hill, and earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2009 and 2010, as well as Second-Team All-Pro in 2011. His consistent play and leadership defined the Jets’ offensive identity for more than a decade.
Following his retirement, Mangold remained a visible and active member of the Jets community. In 2022, he was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor at MetLife Stadium during halftime of the team’s September 25 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was introduced alongside D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Darrelle Revis, and celebrated the moment by chugging a beer in front of cheering fans.
Just one week before his death, Mangold was named among the 52 Modern-Era players still under consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026. The next stage of voting, set to reduce the list to 25 semifinalists, was scheduled in the coming weeks.
Mangold was widely recognized by fans for his long blond hair, thick beard, and backward baseball cap, becoming one of the most popular players in Jets history. He was also known for his sense of humor, community involvement, and approachable personality. After his playing career, he remained in New Jersey, where he served as an assistant coach at Delbarton High School in Morristown, helping teach the game and mentor young players.
Following the announcement of his passing, tributes poured in from across the football world. Jets owner Woody Johnson described Mangold as “the heartbeat of our offensive line for a decade and a beloved teammate whose leadership and toughness defined an era of Jets football.” He added that Mangold’s “wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family,” and concluded, “Nick Mangold will forever be a Jet.”
Former Jets head coach Rex Ryan, who coached Mangold from 2009 to 2014, spoke about his loss on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown, recalling how Mangold insisted on playing through injury in Ryan’s final game as head coach. Hall of Fame cornerback Darrelle Revis, who played with Mangold for eight seasons, shared a message on X expressing that he would forever cherish their time as teammates. D’Brickashaw Ferguson, who played alongside Mangold for a decade, said he appreciated having had the opportunity to share life and family moments with him. Former linebacker Bart Scott, who played for the Jets from 2009 to 2012, said Mangold represented professionalism, humility, and inclusion, calling him “the best of us.”
Mangold is survived by his wife, Jenny, his childhood sweetheart, and their four children: Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte. His sister, Holley Mangold, represented the United States in weightlifting at the 2012 London Olympics. When announcing his illness, Mangold expressed gratitude for his loved ones, calling his family “my rock every step of the way” and saying the experience reminded him how fortunate he was to have such strong support from his family, friends, and community.
