NEED TO KNOW

Rex Ryan broke down in tears while remembering Nick Mangold with an emotional tribute

"It's brutal," the former New York Jets head coach said, reacting to the NFL star's death on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown

Mangold died at age 41 on Oct. 25 from complications of kidney disease

Rex Ryan is remembering Nick Mangold .

The former New York Jets head coach, 62, paid tribute to Mangold on Sunday, Oct. 26, hours after the athlete's death was announced by the NFL team.

"It's brutal," Ryan said while holding back tears during an appearance on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown . "[He was] such a great young man. I had the pleasure of coaching him for all six years with the Jets."

Recalling when his time with the New York-based football team was coming to an end, Ryan remember

See Full Page