Nick Mangold, a former All-Pro center for the New York Jets, has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. He is in urgent need of a kidney transplant donor after almost 20 years of fighting the disease. The 41-year-old seven-time Pro Bowler made the heartfelt announcement on Tuesday. He revealed that he is currently undergoing dialysis treatment while searching for a life-saving donor with type O blood.
A Hidden Fight Comes to Light
Mangold talked about his long-hidden health problems for the first time in a moving post on social media. “This isn’t an easy message to share, but I want to be honest about what’s been going on with my health,” the former offensive lineman wrote to the Jets and Ohio State communities. He also said that he was diagnosed with a genetic defect in 2006, the same year he was drafted by the Jets. This defect eventually led to chronic kidney disease.
Mangold was able to keep his condition a secret for the entire 11 seasons he played in the NFL. He didn’t want anything to get in the way of his football dreams. He made the announcement on his own social media accounts and in an official statement from the Jets.
Urgent Need for a Kidney Donor
Mangold’s situation has recently become more serious, especially after a very difficult summer. He said in his statement, “After a rough summer, I’m on dialysis while we look for a kidney transplant.” He also said that he lost about 35 pounds in just two months. In addition, his red blood cell count dropped to almost half of what it should be.
Mangold has asked the public for help because none of his family members can give him a kidney right now. He is looking for a type O blood donor willing to be tested to see if they are a good match. People who want to learn more about donating can visit Columbia Surgery’s kidney transplant website. They can use Mangold’s full name (Nicholas Mangold) and birthdate (January 13, 1984) to express willingness to donate.
A Great Career in the NFL
Mangold had a great career. In 2006, the Jets picked him in the first round of the draft. He had already won a national championship with Ohio State in 2002. During his 11 years with the team, the talented center was chosen for the Pro Bowl seven times. He was also chosen for first-team All-Pro twice and second-team All-Pro once.
Mangold played in all 164 games he played in the NFL, which shows how tough and consistent he was. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl seven times, which is the second most in Jets history. Only Winston Hill, who is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has more with eight. The Jets’ Ring of Honor honored his memory in 2022 by putting him in it.
Staying Positive Even When Things Get Tough
Mangold is staying positive even though he is dealing with a tough health problem. He said in his statement, “This situation has reminded me how lucky I am to have such an amazing family, friends, and community behind me.” He also said that his family has been his “rock” during this fight against kidney disease.
The former center said that even though the journey has been hard, he is still focused on getting better. Mangold said, “This has been a tough time, but I’m staying positive and focused on the road ahead.” He ended his message on a hopeful note, saying, “I’m looking forward to better days and getting back to full strength soon. Very soon, I’ll see you all at MetLife Stadium.”
Being Inducted into the Hall of Fame
Mangold was one of 128 modern-era players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 in September. This award makes him even more of a legend as one of the best centers in NFL history. It shows how great his career was even though he dealt with chronic kidney disease on his own.
Mangold’s bravery in telling his story in public shows not only his strong character but also his hope. He hopes that someone from the Jets or Ohio State communities will come forward to help. People thinking about donating should visit the Columbia Surgery website to learn more about the kidney transplant process. They can also learn how to test for compatibility.
