Jets Great And All-Time Human Being Nick Mangold Passes Away At 41 Years Old

Mitchell Leff. Getty Images.

SOURCE - Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold, a franchise legend who endeared himself to fans and teammates with his blue-collar, every-man demeanor, has died due to complications from kidney disease, the team announced Sunday. He was 41.

Mangold's death came 12 days after he made a public appeal for a kidney transplant.

"Nick was more than a legendary center," Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. "He was the heartbeat of our offensive line for a decade and a beloved teammate whose leadership and toughness defined an era of Jets football. Off the field, Nick's wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family."

The first thing most people think of when they hear the name Nick Mangold is that he was a legendary Jets player. Why wouldn't they? He was a 7-time Pro Bowler. If you go by Approximate Value, he's the 12th greatest Jet of all-time. He was a fantastic center for over a decade and went to two AFC Championship Games. Nick Mangold was a great football player.

Even though I am a Jets fan and watched Mangold's entire run with the team, the first thing I'll think of when it comes to Nick Mangold was how much he loved his family. We were always lucky to have Mangold come in on Mondays to talk about the previous week's NFL games with us. He was great on the show providing insight from someone who actually played the game at the highest level. He could also joke around with us and bust balls. Having him in studio was always a treat.

But, the coolest part of having him around was after the show. His face would light up as he talked about how busy his life was now taking care of his kids. He loved his wife and kids so much. He'd talk about bringing his family to a Jets game or even when they would go apple picking or just taking them to school. He loved being a Dad so much.

I imagine it must be hard for a lot of guys to leave the sport they have played their entire life behind. But, I never got that feeling from him when he spoke. He had a wife and 4 kids he loved so much that he seemed at peace. That's what make a day like this so hard. It's always terrible when you hear a 41 year old died. It's so much more crushing when you see how much he left behind.

I don't want to take away from his amazing career. He was at one point, ranked by NFL players, as one of the 50 best in the entire sport. He also came into the league replacing another great (and future HOFer) Jets center in Kevin Mawae. It's never trying to fill those shoes but of course, Mangold did it with grace, class and humor. It's the rare time Jets fans were lucky to have so much talent at one position.

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From 2006-15, he only missed 4 games. You could count on Nick Mangold every NFL Sunday doing whatever he could to help the Jets win. He was a center so long that he was there from Chad Pennington all the way to Bryce Petty. You never heard a bad word said about him. He was everything you'd want a center to be: dependable, impossible to move and a great teammate.

This was just 10 days ago. Mangold went on the Yak after asking for help looking for a new kidney. He had been suffering from a genetic kidney defect for almost 20 years but over the summer, his kidney had started to get much worse. 

I never knew anyone who needed an organ donor. I am ashamed to say I'm not one currently on my drivers license. Seeing this guy leave his family behind is more than enough to have me change that. There are other ways you can help as well if this is something that you can do. Check the National Donate Life Registry if you are able. I'll making an appointment with my DMV this week. 

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If you're reading this, you probably love Barstool. Mangold did too. He was always up to date with everything that was happening. He was also a guy that would light up the office every time he walked in. Everyone was happy to see him. From Frank bitching about the Dolphins to Big Ev talking Ohio State to everyone just appreciating the kindness and respect he had to whomever he encountered. He was one of the best NFL Centers this century and he was just as happy to talk to you as you were to him.

Nick Mangold leaves behind four children and a wife that he loved dearly. I hope that they can use that love to guide them the rest of their lives. It is brutally unfair that they can't spend time together anymore. Mangold was a great football player for over a decade.

Seemed like a better Dad.