Dec 1, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan coaches against the Miami Dolphins during the fourth quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Former New York Jets center Nick Mangold's tragic death at the age of 41 rocked the NFL world on Sunday.

Among the tributes across the league, the one from Mangold's former Jets coach, Rex Ryan, was unsurprisingly poignant and powerful. The two had a close relationship on and off the field.

When Mike Greenberg kicked it to Ryan for comments on Mangold's death during ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown, Ryan was already choking up and fighting back tears before saying a single word. Ryan then delivered a beautiful tribute to Mangold, whom he ensured to talk about as so much more than a famous former football player:

Ryan and Mangold were together for six seasons on the Jets. Mangold was a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro. And indeed, he is gone way too young.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Rex Ryan choked up while mourning Nick Mangold's death

Reporting by Robert Zeglinski, For The Win / For The Win

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect