COLUMBUS, Ohio — Nick Mangold, a former standout offensive lineman for Ohio State and the New York Jets, died Saturday night. He was 41.
Mangold, who died from complications of kidney disease, was a beloved figure in New York and Columbus.
Those who knew him well took to social media Sunday to share what made Mangold special.
“Nick Mangold was everything you could wish for as a teammate, player, son, friend, husband, father, and American: loyal, hard-working, selfless, caring, and loving,” former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel wrote on X. “Our hearts go out to the entire Mangold-Buckeye-Jet families. Love that man. We lost a great one.”
Mangold was a native of Centerville, Ohio. He played at Ohio State from 2002-05 where he was a national champion and All-American.
“RIP Nick Mangold. A great Buckeye and Jet,” receiver Garrett Wilson wrote on X. “I am devastated to hear this, and will hold on to the insight you’ve given me over these past few years. RIP Legend, you will be missed.”
Former Jets coach Rex Ryan was emotional when discussing Mangold’s death on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown.
He shared how in 2014, when it was clear Ryan was going to get fired, Mangold insisted on playing in the Jets’ final game despite battling an injury.
“He wanted to play for me,” Ryan said through tears. “That’s what I remember about this kid. He was awesome.”
Mangold played for the Jets from 2006-16, making seven Pro Bowl appearances. After spending the 2017 season away from football, he announced his retirement from football.
In 2022, Mangold was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor.
“Rest easy Nick Mangold,” ESPN’s Pat McAfee wrote on X. “My positive prayers & thoughts are with his family. Thru AJ (Hawk), I’ve learned so much about him. The man, the dad, the husband, the teammate, the EVERYTHING great he was for everybody in his life. The world lost a damn good man and obviously a legendary beard.”
New York played in Cincinnati on Sunday. The Jets, after trailing by as much as 15 in the second half, rallied to win less than 50 miles from Mangold’s hometown.
Kicker Nick Folk, whose first stint with the Jets went from 2010–16, made the game-winning extra point.
“At the end, he was there with us,” Folk told reporters postgame.
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