Former Jets center Nick Mangold dies at 41, less than 2 weeks after announcing he had kidney disease

Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold, one of the franchise’s most popular and decorated players who helped lead the team to the AFC championship game twice, has died, the team announced Sunday.

Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold, one of the franchise’s most popular and decorated players who helped lead the team to the AFC championship game twice, has died, the team announced Sunday. He was 41.

The Jets said in a statement on social media that Mangold died Saturday night from complications of kidney disease.

His death comes less than two weeks after the two-time All-Pro selection announced on social media that he had kidney disease and needed a transplant. He said he didn’t have any relatives who were able to donate, so he went public with the request for a donor with type O blood.

“I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had more time,” he wrote in a Oct. 14 message directed to the Jets and Ohio State communities.

“While this has been a tough stretch, I’m staying positive and focused on the path ahead. I’m looking forward to better days and getting back to full strength soon. I’ll see you all at MetLife Stadium & The Shoe very soon.”