By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 17:28 EDT, 14 October 2025 | Updated: 17:28 EDT, 14 October 2025
Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold, a two-time All-Pro who remains one of the most popular players in the team´s history, said on social media on Tuesday that he has kidney disease and needs a transplant.
"I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had more time," he wrote in a message directed to the Jets and Ohio State communities.
"While this has been a tough stretch, I´m staying positive and focused on the path ahead," he said. "I´m looking forward to better days and getting back to full strength soon. I´ll see you all at MetLife Stadium & The Shoe very soon."
A first-round draft pick and seven-time Pro Bowl selection who was enshrined in the Jets´ "Ring of Honor" in 2022, Mangold said he was diagnosed with a genetic defect in 2006 that has led to chronic kidney disease. He is now on dialysis while waiting for a transplant.
Mangold said he doesn´t have any relatives who are able to donate, so he went public with the request for a donor with type O blood.
"I am deeply grateful to anyone that would consider donating," he said.
Mangold was one of the NFL´s best centers during his career, with his seven Pro Bowl selections second to only Pro Football Hall of Famer Winston Hill´s eight for the most all-star games in franchise history. He started all 164 games he played during his 11 NFL seasons.
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