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Former Jets Star Nick Mangold, Dies at 41, A Few Weeks After Request for Kidney Donation
Former New York Jets Star Nick Mangold Dies at 41
Just Ten Days After Requesting a Kidney Donor
Mangold’s death was confirmed by the New York Jets in a statement on Saturday, Oct. 25. The team announced that the central New York Jets player died of complications from kidney disease. This confirmation came only 10 days after Mangold had posted a public plea for a kidney donor while he was going through dialysis.
“Nick was not only a great center,” said Jets Chairman Woody Johnson. “He was the core of our offensive line for ten years and a wonderful teammate whose leadership and fighting spirit, among other things, characterized Jets football of that time period.”
Moreover, Johnson said, “Away from the field, Nick’s humor, charm, and absolute faithfulness were the qualities of a very close member of our large Jets family.”
Nick Mangold Revealed Long Battle with Chronic Kidney Disease
The New York Jets had announced a health update on behalf of Nick Mangold on Oct. 14 through Instagram, informing that his kidney problems situation goes back nearly ten years.
“I’m definitely not thrilled to share this news, but I feel it’s important to be honest about what has been going on with my health,” Mangold wrote in the post. “In 2006, I was identified as having a genetic defect that resulted in my chronic kidney disease.”
Ex-NFL Player Revealed Honest Details About His Battle with Illness
In his statement last October, Mangold elaborated, “Following a difficult summer, I am on dialysis while we search for a kidney transplant. It has always been my understanding that this would be the case eventually, but I thought I would have had more time.”
Mangold also wrote, “I am very sorry to say, that I presently have no family member who can give me a kidney, that is the reason why I am writing to you — the community of the NY Jets, our team fan base.”
Jets Legend Expressed Gratitude to Supporters Before His Death
Mangold, in his communication, made it clear that kidney donors would also need to be of blood type O and after which they should fill a form from Columbia University Irving Medical Center with Mangold’s full name as Nicholas Mangold and date of birth as Jan. 13, 1984.
“I’m thankful beyond words to anyone who might donate a kidney to me,” said Mangold, who at the same time gave thanks to his “amazing family, friends, and community,” in whose support he was resting completely.
Coming from Ohio, Mangold was the 29th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. During the 11 seasons that he spent with the New York Jets, he appeared in 171 games and was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times, after which he called it a day and left the field following the 2016 season.
Nick Mangold: From Jets Ring of Honor to Pro Football Hall of Fame consideration
In 2022, Nick Mangold was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor after he had retired. Just last week, he was identified as one of 52 Modern‑Era players who are currently being considered for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“The entire Johnson family and the New York Jets organization would like to express their deepest sympathy to Jenny, the four children — Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte — as well as to the extended family of Nick, his friends, and all those who loved him,” was the condolence message delivered by Johnson and published in the New York Jets press release. “Nick Mangold will be a Jet forever.”
