Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold was laid to rest on Tuesday, November 4, in an emotional funeral service at St. Vincent Martyr in Madison, N.J. with more than 400 people in attendance.
Mangold died on October 25 at the age of 41 due to complications from kidney disease.
Hall of Famer Alan Faneca delivered a eulogy, clad in a black suit and green Jets cap.
“To help me today, I’m gonna use a little inspiration from Nick,” said Faneca, 48, as he turned his hat backward, a nod to Mangold’s signature look. “I think he’d approve.”
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Faneca continued, “Nick had this special ability to make everyone feel seen, valued and cared for. He had a gift for turning ordinary moments into memories, through his humor, kindness and his genuine heart.”
Mangold’s former teammate, Ryan Fitzpatrick, also spoke, reciting a passage from the Book of Proverbs.
Rich Cimini, who covers the Jets for ESPN, reported that former Jets coach Rex Ryan, and former players Darrelle Revis, Chad Pennington, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Damien Woody, Bart Scott, Jay Feely, Calvin Pace and Nick Folk were in attendance as well.
A.J. Hawk, Mangold’s teammate at Ohio State, was one of the pallbearers. He wore Mangold’s No. 74 embroidered on his breast pocket.
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Mangold’s death came just days after he took to Instagram to update fans on his condition and announce that he was awaiting a kidney transplant.
“This isn’t an easy message to share, but I want to be open about what’s been happening with me and my health,” he wrote in the October 14 post. “In 2006, I was diagnosed with a genetic defect that has led to chronic kidney disease. After a rough summer, I’m undergoing dialysis as we look for a kidney transplant. I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had more time. Unfortunately, I do not have any family able to donate at this time, so this is why I’m reaching out to you, our NY Jets community. I am in need of a kidney donor with type O blood.”
“Nick was more than a legendary center,” Jets Chairman Woody Johnson said in a statement after his death. “He was the heartbeat of our offensive line for a decade and a beloved teammate whose leadership and toughness defined an era of Jets football. Off the field, Nick’s wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family.”
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Mangold spent his entire 11-year career with the Jets, but his impact went beyond his former team. Retired Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce opened up about his admiration for his one-time rival on the October 29 episode of his “New Heights” podcast.
“It’s just a travesty that that’s happened at such a young age,” Kelce, 38, said. “He’s got a whole f***ing family, and he’s just one of the most, like, when you think about offensive linemen over the past two decades, like, best of the best, you don’t look any further than Nick Mangold.”
Mangold is survived by his wife, Jennifer “Jenny” Mangold, and their four children, Matthew, Eloise, Thomas and Charlotte, as well as his parents and three sisters.
