Mangold retires from game a Jet
Nick Mangold is officially walking away from football.
The former Jets ironman center announced Tuesday morning that he will retire after signing a one-day contract with the Jets, which he’ll do next Tuesday.
“I DECLARE RETIREMENNNTTTTTTT!” Mangold tweeted. “I will be signing a one day deal with @nyjets next week so I can retire a Jet. Thank you to all! “J! E! T! S! Jets! Jets! Jets!” Mangold, 34, a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, started 171 games in his 11-year career, all with the Jets. He missed only four games in the first 10 seasons before missing half of his final season with Gang Green (2016).
Mangold, the engine of the Jets offensive line since he was drafted in the first round in 2006, was cut last offseason and didn’t play in the league in 2017.
“Everything that happened from peewee football to high school football to having the good fortune to play at The Ohio State University molded me for my opportunity to play for the New York Jets,” he wrote in an extended farewell letter attached to his tweet. “I was privileged that Woody Johnson, Mike Tannenbaum, and Eric Mangini took a chance on me with the 29th pick of the 2006 NFL Draft. In my 11 years as a Jet, there were plenty of ups and downs but, through it all, I wanted to be the Steady Eddie. I wanted to be the guy that other guys looked at to see how it was done. I learned this attribute from the vets that I played with.
“My biggest regret is not bringing the Lombardi Trophy to New York but, as I retire, I will continue my efforts to bring the Trophy home in a different capacity. I have no idea what that capacity is but I’m sure I will figure something out in the future.”
In February, Mangold reportedly flirted with the idea of running for Congress in New Jersey’s 11th District as a Republican, but ultimately decided against it so that he could spend more time with his family.