Each of us born on this earth is destined to return to its cold ground someday. Not all of us will leave a legacy that far outlives us.
It's amazing the legacy that some people, some great people, leave behind despite leaving us all far too soon. Former Ohio State center Nick Mangold was taken from his family and the Buckeye family at 41. He left his wife and four children behind.
The legacy he left as a football player, but more importantly as a person, is profound. Posts have flooded in with memories and tributes across social media.
"I have an unbelievable amount of respect for him as a man and as a football player," Ryan Day said at his press conference on Tuesday. "And we talk about leaving legacies behind. When you hear that name in this building right here, people stand up straight. This is a guy who had a tremendous amount of character and left a lot of that behind."
On Tuesday, I attended the funeral for my cousin's wife, who was taken from our family at 32. She left an 18-month-old son and her husband, my cousin, one I've been close to since I gained sentience, behind. She was a physical therapist who touched countless lives by helping them rehabilitate. Her sister recounted a story of how one of her patients credited her with saving his life. An award for physical therapists is being created in her honor.
After the service, a celebration of life was held at Jackie O's in Columbus, one of her favorite places. Some reading this might know it has a large upstairs area, where the celebration of life took place. So many people were there to honor her memory that it put said upstairs area above its maximum capacity. There was hardly room to maneuver to grab a drink or food. So many lives touched in such a tragically short life.
That was Nick Mangold. The on-field accolades are impeccable. A national champion in 2002. A first-team All-American in 2005. A first-round NFL draft pick in 2006. A seven-time Pro Bowler with the New York Jets, of all teams, who is widely regarded as the best center of his generation.
But Mangold valued family and community above all that. Those are the important things in life. His coach at Ohio State, Jim Tressel, took notes on what Mangold said during a speech to the team during his senior year, speeches he required all seniors to give. Buckeye teammate Bobby Carpenter shared the notes on that speech via X. "Relationships" were Mangold's favorite part of playing at Ohio State. He spoke about how attitude shapes your day.
This was sent to me today by one of my former coaches
— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) October 28, 2025
Tress would have the seniors speak during camp every year this were his notes
Its the Brotherhood always has been and always will be pic.twitter.com/hIN4rGSMxP
I thought we had more time but Im grateful for the 23 years I knew you
— Bobby Carpenter (@Bcarp3) October 26, 2025
Nick Mangold greet player, great teammate
But the best dude you could imagine.
You left a giant hole in the world pic.twitter.com/Onij7mzG8f
Tressel himself called Mangold "everything you could wish for as a teammate, player, son, friend, husband, father, and American."
Nick Mangold was everything you could wish for as a teammate, player, son, friend, husband, father, and American : loyal, hard-working, selfless, caring, and loving. Our hearts go out to the entire Mangold-Buckeye-Jet families. Love that man. We lost a great one.
— Jim Tressel (@JimTressel5) October 26, 2025
Mangold was known for his charitable work in the community during his time with the Jets and after his retirement. Given his bushy blonde hair and long beard, he fittingly dressed as Santa Claus for the holiday celebrations the Jets would hold for children. The definition of a gentle giant.
"He didn't just go through this place," Day said. "He left a work ethic. He left a leadership. He left a discipline. And certainly a body of work on the field. And I know everybody in Buckeye Nation is mourning his loss. And then, obviously, what he did in the NFL. And just all the people that were able to have him as a teammate speak so highly of him. So he's going to be dearly missed."
In memory of Nick, in memory of my cousin's wife, do something kind for someone today. And hold your families – by blood or by brotherhood or sisterhood – close.
