Nick Mangold spent 11 seasons anchoring the offensive line for the New York Jets with a toughness that earned him seven Pro Bowl selections. Now the former All-Pro center is facing a different kind of battle, one that requires the same strength he showed in the trenches.
The 41-year-old revealed on Tuesday that he’s been living with chronic kidney disease for nearly two decades.
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Mangold opened up about his condition in an emotional message to the Jets and Ohio State communities, sharing that he’s currently undergoing dialysis while searching for a kidney donor.
“Unfortunately, I do not have any family able to donate at this time, so this is why I’m reaching out to you, our NY Jets community,” he wrote. “I am in need of a kidney donor with type O blood. If you are willing to find out if you could be a match and donate a kidney to me please go to this site and click the link I WANT TO DONATE MY KIDNEY.”
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Mangold was first diagnosed with the genetic condition back in 2006, and it’s gradually worsened over the years. After what he described as a tough summer, that long-dreaded day finally arrived, the one he’d always known would come but hoped was still far off.
The former Buckeyes star helped Ohio State capture a national championship in 2002 before becoming one of the most dependable linemen in Jets history. His reputation as a fixture in Gang Green’s trenches made him one of the NFL franchise’s all-time greats.
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Retired New York Jets center Nick Mangold with his daughter before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
The Jets inducted Mangold into their Ring of Honor in 2022, recognizing the impact he made during his career. Just two years later, his name surfaced again in the headlines as one of 128 modern-era candidates on the initial ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026.
Now Mangold is facing the fight of his life with the same resilience he once brought to the field every Sunday.
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