Jets Legend Nick Mangold Dies at 41 After Kidney Transplant Struggle

In a heartbreaking turn of events, former New York Jets center Nick Mangold has passed away at the age of 41. Mangold, who was a beloved figure in the NFL, died on October 14, 2025, just two weeks after he publicly revealed his need for a kidney transplant.

Mangold, who was a first-round pick by the Jets in 2006, went on to become one of the key pieces in a team that made it to the playoffs three times and reached two AFC Championship Games. He was a two-time first-team All-Pro selection and a seven-time Pro Bowler, cementing his legacy as one of the best centers in the league.

After retiring in 2016, Mangold was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor in 2022. Tragically, his life was cut short due to a genetic kidney defect that he had been diagnosed with in 2006. Mangold had been undergoing dialysis and searching for a kidney donor, but his condition ultimately proved too severe.

The news of Mangold's passing has sent shockwaves through the NFL community, with many former teammates and fans expressing their grief and remembering the impact he had on the game. The Jets are set to face the Bengals on Sunday in Cincinnati, not far from where Mangold grew up in Centerville, Ohio, and where he later starred at Ohio State.