When Jim Tressel came to coach the Ohio State football program, one of the things he made sure to do was build the trenches on both sides of the ball. He wanted to have a tough team inside, so the offensive and defensive lines were staples of every team he coached.
Nick Mangold was a three-year starter for the Ohio State Buckeyes at center. He was one of the best centers that the Buckeyes ever had, earning First-team All-American honors in 2005. He was eventually a first-round pick of the New York Jets, playing for 11 seasons.
New York put him in the Ring of Honor in 2022, solidifying his legacy in the game of football. Now, Mangold is in need of some help from the public. He has put out a desperate plea for a kidney, as he announced that he is in need of a kidney transplant as he undergoes dialysis.
Former Ohio State center Nick Mangold pleads for help finding a kidney
Mangold released a statement to New York Jets and Ohio State fans, pleading for help in finding a match. He announced that he found out in 2006 that a genetic defect left him with chronic kidney disease, and now the time has come for him to find a donor for a transplant.
Former Jets center Nick Mangold announced today that he is looking for a kidney donor with Type O blood. pic.twitter.com/e65K9BsSnv
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 14, 2025
According to Mangold, he doesn't have any family members who have all of the qualifications of an exact match that he needs in order to get a kidney from one of them. Because of that, he has decided to put it out to the public in search of some help. He is asking for something huge from one of his fans.
Mangold is one of the greatest Buckeyes of all time. When this message spreads not just through the Jets community but through the Ohio State community, there is little doubt that someone will be willing to help him out with his medical problem. That's how big both communities are.
We wish Mangold nothing but the best in his endeavor to find a new kidney.