Rex Ryan Tears Up Remembering Nick Mangold — “He wanted to play for me,” Says the Emotional Former Coach! (Video)

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Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold has passed away at just 41 years old due to complications from kidney disease. The NFL world is heartbroken — and no one feels it deeper than his former head coach Rex Ryan.

During ESPN’s Sunday Countdown, Ryan couldn’t hold back his emotions while talking about Mangold’s passing. His voice cracked, eyes welled up, and words stumbled out. “It’s brutal,” he said, before recalling one of his most emotional memories with the late lineman:

Ryan continued, “He wanted to play for me. That’s what I remember about this kid. He was awesome and just way too young. I feel so bad for his wife and family. Rough.” Those words hit every Jets fan right in the gut — a reminder of the bond between coach and player that goes way beyond football.

Mangold spent his entire career with the Jets from 2006 to 2016, becoming one of the most respected centers of his era. He was a two-time First-Team All-Pro (2009, 2010), Second-Team All-Pro (2011), and a seven-time Pro Bowler. Under Rex Ryan, he anchored the offensive line during the team’s back-to-back AFC Championship runs.

Just earlier this month, Mangold revealed that a genetic defect had caused his chronic kidney disease, which was first diagnosed back in 2006. Sadly, that same condition would take his life far too soon.

The Jets released a heartfelt statement saying,

For Rex Ryan, those tears weren’t just for a player — they were for a warrior, a leader, and a man who played through pain just to stand by his coach one last time.

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