by: Grant Grubbs 6 minutes ago grant_grubbs_
© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
On Sunday, former New York Jets center Nick Mangold died due to kidney disease complications. He was 41 years old. On Sunday NFL Countdown , Rex Ryan , who coached Mangold from 2009-14, was brought to tears while remembering the three-time NFL All-Pro.
“It’s brutal,” Ryan said . “Such a great young man. I had the pleasure of coaching him for all six years with the jets. I remember — it was obvious I was getting fired — my last game, Mangold’s injured, like injured . And he comes to me and he says, ‘I’m playing this game.’
“He wanted to play for me. That’s what I remember about this kid. He was awesome and just way too young. I feel so bad for his wife and family. Rough.”
Rex Ryan mourns the loss of his former player Nick Mangold following his death from kidney disease. pic.twitter.com/xhpJJ0yue3
— ESPN (@espn) October 26, 2025
Mangold played his entire career with the Jets from 2006-16. He was named First-Team All-Pro twice (2009, ’10), Second-Team All-Pro in 2011 and was a seven-time Pro Bowler during his career.