Nick Mangold Seeks Kidney Donor as He Undergoes Dialysis

Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold said Tuesday that he is undergoing dialysis and needs a kidney transplant, and he has asked members of the public to consider donating. Mangold, 41, said he was diagnosed in 2006 with a genetic defect that has progressed to chronic kidney disease and that his kidney is failing sooner than expected. He is seeking a donor with type O blood and posted instructions for potential donors to begin the evaluation process.

Mangold made the announcement on social media, saying in part, "This is not an easy message to share, but I want to be open about what's been happening with me and my health." He added that, after a difficult summer, he is on dialysis as doctors look for a transplant. He wrote that no family members are currently able to donate, which is why he is reaching out to the Jets and Ohio State communities and the wider public. He provided a link to the transplant program at Columbia University and asked interested people to use his full name, Nicholas Mangold, and his birthdate, January 13, 1984, when inquiring about donation.

The former center, a first round pick by the Jets in 2006, spent his entire NFL career with New York, starting...