CINCINNATI – The Jets announced unexpected and heartbreaking news before Sunday’s game against the Bengals.

Nick Mangold, one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history and the center on the team that went to back-to-back AFC Championship games 15 years ago, died at 41 after a battle with kidney disease.

Mangold revealed less than two weeks ago that he was in need of a kidney transplant after developing chronic kidney disease from a genetic defect that was discovered in 2006.

“I’m undergoing dialysis as we look for a kidney transplant,” Mangold wrote on Oct. 14. “I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have more time.”

He thanked his family for their support through a difficult time.

“This situation has reminded me how lucky I am to have such an amazing fam

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