The world of football lost someone who was one of the best of the game, not just on the field, but in character. Former Jets and Ohio State center Nick Mangold sadly passed away at the age of 41 on Sunday after a hard-fought battle against kidney disease. While the news of his disease and condition was not a surprise, losing someone at such a young age is never easy to hear.
Mangold's disease had gotten so bad that a few weeks ago, he asked the public for help finding a kidney. While it seemed he would find success in finding a new kidney, he sadly passed away too young.
Mandgold was one of the best centers in Ohio State history, and played a great career in the NFL with the New York Jets. Since the news of Mangold's passing broke, many have come out and shared great memories and their condolences for his family. One tribute came from former Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel, and it could bring anyone to tears.
Nick Mangold was everything you could wish for as a teammate, player, son, friend, husband, father, and American : loyal, hard-working, selfless, caring, and loving. Our hearts go out to the entire Mangold-Buckeye-Jet families. Love that man. We lost a great one.
— Jim Tressel (@JimTressel5) October 26, 2025
Tressel was Mangold's former head coach when both were with the Buckeyes, so he certainly had a great relationship with the former center. Mangold was a three-year starter at Ohio State under Tressel before heading to the NFL and being drafted in the first round by the Jets.
Tressel was a loving father to four beautiful children and a very loving wife. Others besides Tressel have also posted lovingly about Mangold, including his former NFL coach Rex Ryan, who emotionally shared his tribute on Sunday NFL Countdown on ESPN when the news broke.
Mangold will certainly be missed, and his life will be lovingly remembered for his time on the field and his time as a loving father and husband.