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New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn paid tribute to former player Nick Mangold following his sudden death at the age of 41 on Sunday.
New York clinched its long-awaited first win of the NFL season to end their 0-7 nightmare on Sunday and following the desperate victory, Glenn took the time to honor a 'true Jet.'
The team had announced just an hour before kickoff against the Cincinnati Bengals that Mangold, who spent the entirety of his 10-year career with the Jets, has suddenly succumbed to his battle against a rare genetic kidney disorder.
'A true Jet through and through,' Glenn said as he began his postgame press conference with reporters.
'I hate that I have to start with this because this means more to me than anything - Nick Mangold passing away. Obviously, I didn't play with him but I was here as a scout when he was playing and he was the heart and soul of this team.
'He had a number of kids and it's always tough to hear that especially a guy that's a true Jet through and through that made his appearance felt.
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn paid tribute to former player Nick Mangold
Mangold, who spent the entirety of his 10-year career with the Jets, died on Saturday night
'So, prayers go out to him and his family. It's tough to hear because of who he was as a person.'
Mangold, the Jets' legendary center from 2006 to 2016, passed away on Saturday night after complications related to chronic kidney disease.
His passing comes just weeks after he made a desperate plea for a kidney donor , revealing he was trying to find someone with Type O blood to help him beat the chronic disease.
His former teammate, New York Jets great Bart Scott, revealed in the wake of Mangold's death that there had been optimism over the center's condition in recent weeks.
A stunned Scott, who received the heartbreaking news from Jets owner Woody Johnson, claimed that there had been a 'plan in place' for Mangold to overcome his battle with the disease.
'A loss for words is really what my initial reaction is,' the former linebacker, who played alongside Mangold for four years, said on the Jets' pregame SNY show. 'When Woody called me this morning and said that we lost Nick, I said what do you mean we lost Nick?
'We had just got the news and we were so hopeful that there was a plan in place that we were gonna find a way to make sure that we figure it out.
'These are one of those things where you just expect it to go a different way. I was anticipating some type of organ drive or something like that and the story ends with a happy ending, and we all can go on and Nick can be the loving father, teammate and friend.'
The Jets' legendary center lost his battle against a rare genetic kidney disorder
'It doesn't feel real,' Scott added. 'It still doesn't feel real. My heart just goes out for his children and his wife and his family. I mean, that was his world and he was their world and he was our world, right? He was bigger than life, right?'
Mangold was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder back in 2006 and, earlier this month, he announced that he needed a new kidney, issuing a public plea to fans as he searched for a donor. He shared four children with his partner, Jenny - Matthew, Eloise, Thomas, and Charlotte.
'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 more time ,' he said earlier this month.
Mangold also paid tribute to his family for being his ' rock every step of the way.'
'While this has been a tough stretch, I'm staying positive and focused on the path ahead,' he added. 'I'm looking forward to better days and getting back to full strength soon.'
Mangold was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 2006 draft and went on start 171 games for New York, earning seven Pro Bowl selections. The center won a national championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes and later played in seven playoff games for the Jets.
His career in New York came to an end after the 2016 campaign, during which he suffered a season-ending ankle injury.
The legendary Jets center leaves behind partner Jenny and their four children (pictured)
The Jets released him in the offseason but welcomed him back on a one-day deal in 2018 so he could retire with the franchise.
On Sunday, the Jets paid tribute to Mangold, 'one of the most iconic and beloved players in franchise history.'
Their statement read: 'He brought unmatched toughness, intelligence, and heart to every snap. But beyond the accolades and the fierce play on the field, Nick was a leader, a teammate, and a friend whose impact extended far beyond the locker room.
'His legacy is etched into the very fabric of our organization. From his first day in green and white to his induction into the Jets Ring of Honor, Nick represented everything it means to be a Jet—with pride, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence... he will forever be part of the Jets family.'
