Jets great Nick Mangold reveals he needs a kidney in heartbreaking message

Nick Mangold asks for help.

The iconic Jets center and New Jersey resident revealed Tuesday that he needs a kidney transplant and is looking for a donor.

“In 2006, I was diagnosed with a genetic abnormality that led to chronic kidney disease,” he wrote in a statement posted on social media. “After a difficult summer, I’m on dialysis as we search for a kidney transplant. I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have more time.”

Mangold, 41, is looking for a Type O blood donor with his family – “who has been my rock every step of the way” – unable to donate at the moment.

Those interested in seeing if they are a potential match for the man inducted into the Jets’ Ring of Honor in 2022 can follow this link and use his full name – Nicholas Mangold – and his birthday, 1/13/1984.

“Even though this has been a difficult time, I remain positive and focused on the road ahead,” he wrote. “I look forward to better days and will soon regain all my strength.”

Mangold, the Jets’ first-round pick (29th overall) in the 2006 draft, played his entire 10-year NFL career with the franchise.

He started all 164 games he played in – adding seven playoff games over three postseasons – earning first-team All-Pro nominations in 2009 and 2010, a second-team All-Pro in 2011 and seven Pro Bowl appearances. An ankle injury ended his season in early 2016 and the rebuilding franchise released Mangold after the season. He returned to the team on a one-day contract in 2018 to officially retire a Jet.

An Ohio native, Mangold played his college ball at Ohio State, winning a national championship with the Buckeyes in 2002. In 2005, he was named a first-team All-American and second-team All-Big Ten.