Former New York Jets Center Nick Mangold Passes Away at 41 Due to Kidney Disease — Remembering the Toughest Man on the O-Line
Nick Mangold, the durable and beloved center who anchored the New York Jets for more than a decade, died on October 25, 2025, at the age of 41. The team announced his passing, attributing it to complications from chronic kidney disease that he had publicly revealed just days earlier.
His story began in Centerville, Ohio, where he was born on January 13, 1984. After a standout college career at Ohio State University, Mangold was selected 29th overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. He went on to spend his entire 11-season career with the team, from 2006 to 2016, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and becoming one of the most respected centers in the league.
Known for his signature long blonde hair, scruffy beard, and backwards cap, Mangold embodied the heart and grit of New York football. His toughness on the field and approachable personality off it made him a fan favorite and a natural leader in the locker room. His teammates often described him as the backbone of the Jets’ offensive line, a player who led not with words, but with relentless effort and consistency.
During his peak years, Mangold was widely regarded as one of the best centers in the NFL. He started in two AFC Championship Games under coach Rex Ryan and earned praise for his ability to read defenses and protect his quarterbacks. Even when playing through injuries, Mangold rarely missed a snap. His passion and resilience turned him into a symbol of reliability for both his team and fans.
In October 2025, Mangold revealed publicly that he had been battling a genetic kidney disorder since 2006, which had worsened over the years and required dialysis treatment. He shared that he was searching for a type-O kidney donor, adding that his greatest hope was to live a normal life for his wife and four children. Tragically, his health declined rapidly, and just days after that announcement, the news of his passing broke, leaving the football world stunned.
Former Jets coach Rex Ryan tearfully paid tribute on ESPN, calling Mangold “a warrior, a leader, and one of the best human beings I’ve ever coached.” The Jets organization issued a heartfelt statement: “Nick Mangold will forever be a Jet. He defined toughness, leadership, and loyalty.” Tributes poured in from former teammates, coaches, and NFL legends who remembered Mangold not only for his talent but for his humility and sense of humor.
Beyond football, Mangold was known for his devotion to his family and his community. After retiring in 2017, he focused on his wife Jenny and their children — Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte — while staying involved with the Jets organization. He also participated in charity events and became an advocate for organ donation awareness, a cause that now takes on even deeper meaning.
In 2022, Mangold was inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor, a fitting tribute to a man who gave everything to the game and the city that embraced him. During the ceremony, he thanked the fans who stood by him through every high and low, saying, “New York made me who I am. I’ll always be proud to be a Jet.” Those words now carry an even greater weight.
Nick Mangold’s passing is a heartbreaking loss, not just for Jets fans, but for anyone who admired his quiet strength and unwavering character. His story — from a small-town kid in Ohio to a cornerstone of one of the NFL’s most storied franchises — is one of dedication, discipline, and heart.
He was more than an athlete; he was a husband, a father, a teammate, and a symbol of what it means to give your all, both on and off the field. Though gone far too soon, Nick Mangold’s legacy will live on in the memories of everyone he inspired — the man who protected quarterbacks, led by example, and made an entire city proud.
