On Sunday the NFL world suffered a terrible loss as news broke that former Jets legend Nick Mangold had died due to complications from chronic kidney disease at 41 years old. Mangold made his battle with kidney disease public knowledge earlier this month and the news of his death shook the football community.
It hit Rex Ryan particularly hard. Ryan coached Mangold for six seasons while he was head coach of the Jets. The former coach now works for ESPN and was live on-air Sunday to cover Mangold's death. He offered a very touching tribute to his former player and was unable to hold back his emotions during the segment.
"It's just... it's brutal," Ryan said while struggling to keep his composure. "Such a great young man. 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. He comes to me and 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 awful for his wife and family... Rough."
Ryan couldn't continue after that.
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
A heart-wrenching moment from Ryan. And his feelings about Mangold are shared across the NFL. His public reveal of his kidney issues showed how much he was appreciated in the football world.
A very sad moment for the Mangold family, Ryan, and the rest of the NFL.
Nick Mangold's career achievements
Mangold was clearly a beloved individual as evidenced by Ryan's earnest eulogy above. But he was a pretty darn good football player, too.
Mangold was drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft, going 29th overall as the second offensive lineman the Jets picked in the first round alongside D'Brickashaw Ferguson. He started all 16 games as a rookie and was off to the races from there. Mangold wound up making seven Pro Bowls and was nominated for two First-Team All-Pro spots, as well as a Second-Team All-Pro nod. Mangold played in two AFC championship games and was beloved by the fanbase. He may very well be the most popular Jet of the century.
All-in, Mangold started 164 NFL games at center and was named to the Jets' Ring of Honor in 2022.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Rex Ryan’s Emotional On-Air Tribute to Nick Mangold After Jets Legend’s Death.
