Ex-Jet Mangold retires

Nick Mangold has made his final snap after 11 years of consistency, toughness and NFL-wide respect as one of the game’s best centers. The former New York Jets star — with his signature blond, bushy Viking-like beard — announced his retirement in a post on Twitter on Tuesday morning. He was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was twice a first-team All-Pro. “I DECLARE RETIRE MENNNTTTTTTT !” Mangold wrote at 7:40 a.m. Eastern. He said he will be signing a one-day deal with the team so he can retire a Jet. “Thank you to all! J! E! T! S! Jets! Jets! Jets !” The Jets announced they will hold a news conference April 24 at their facility to honor Mangold. The 34-year-old Mangold did not play last season after being released by New York in February 2017. He played in only eight games in 2016 because of ankle and foot injuries that landed him on the injured reserve list for the final month. Mangold was a first-round draft pick from Ohio State in 2006 and immediately became a starter for New York. He was one of the most popular Jets players among teammates and fans. Mangold seamlessly stepped into big shoes as a rookie, replacing perennial Pro Bowl pick Kevin Mawae, who carved out a Hall of Fame-caliber career of his own. Mangold stepped in and started every game during his first five seasons, and missed just two games over his first eight years. He continued to rehabilitate his foot and ankle through last season and kept his options open. But Mangold didn’t latch on with another team and decided Tuesday to call it a career.