The NFL was hit with painful news Sunday morning when the death of former Jets All-Pro center Nick Mangold was announced. The powerful Mangold died from a rare genetic kidney disease that was first diagnosed nearly 20 years ago. He had been seeking a kidney transplant, but his medical team was unable to find a donor.

Mangold, 41, had been one of the best centers in Jets history and had been named to the Pro Bowl eight times in his 11-year career. He was also a first-team All-Pro on three occasions.

His former teammates and coaches were saddened by his death and several paid tribute to him upon learning of the sad outcome. Former Jets quarterback and NFL analyst Mark Sanchez has kept a low profile following his arrest  earlier this month for an alleged altercation with a 69-year-old truck driver at a hotel loading dock in Indianapolis. He broke his silence to speak from the heart about Mangold.

“We lost a good man today,” Sanchez wrote on X. ” know Nick Mangold will be a hall-of-famer, but there’s more to his story than his accomplishments on the gridiron. He was more than a teammate. He was my big brother who introduced me to the NFL. He showed me the ropes. He was my friend and confidant. He was a role model and a great father to his children and husband to his wife. Our hearts are heavy. We will miss you. Rest easy amigo. I love you big fella.”

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Former coach Rex Ryan breaks down while speaking about Mangold

Former Jets head coach Rex Ryan is currently an analyst on ESPN and he is regularly seen on the network's pregame show. He had coached Mangold from 2009 through 2014, and had warm memories of his former player when he discussed him prior to the Week 8 games.

Ryan had a hard time keeping his composure and then finally broke down in tears when he recalled his final year of coaching the Jets. “I was at the end and it was clear I was going to be fired,” Ryan said. “Nick was injured, but he came up to me and said he was going to play. He said, ‘I'm playing this game.' “