New York Jets center Nick Mangold died Saturday night, the team announced. He was 41.
The Jets released a statement announcing the news. In that statement, team owner Woody Johnson called Mangold, “The heartbeat of our offensive line for a decade.”
“Nick was more than a legendary center,” said Jets Chairman Woody Johnson. “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.”
Team vice chairman Christopher Johnson released a separate statement, praising Mangold as a “true legend of our franchise and a cherished member of the Jets family.”
Mangold joined the team ahead of the 2006 season. After being selected by the Jets with the No. 29 overall pick in the draft that year, Mangold made his presence felt immediately, starting all 16 games.
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While Mangold emerged early, he didn’t gain national recognition until his third season, which saw him make the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Mangold would go on to make seven total Pro Bowls over his 11 seasons with the Jets. He was named to the first team All-Pro team twice in his career and made the All-Pro second team once.
Over his career, Mangold’s toughness and durability were among his biggest strengths. Mangold did not miss a game during his first five seasons in the NFL. He missed a total of four games during his first 10 years with the Jets.
During his 11th season, Mangold battled through an ankle injury, limiting him to just eight games. He was released by the Jets in the offseason and was unable to hook on with another team for the 2017 season. After sitting out the year, Mangold opted to retire from football in 2018.
This story will be updated.
