The NFL was hit with painful news Sunday morning when the death of former Jets All-Pro center Nick Mangold was announced. The powerful Mangold died from a rare genetic kidney disease that was first diagnosed nearly 20 years ago. He had been seeking a kidney transplant, but his medical team was unable to find a donor. Expand Tweet

Mangold, 41, had been one of the best centers in Jets history and had been named to the Pro Bowl eight times in his 11-year career. He was also a first-team All-Pro on three occasions.

His former teammates and coaches were saddened by his death and several paid tribute to him upon learning of the sad outcome. Former Jets quarterback and NFL analyst Mark Sanchez has kept a low profile following his arrest earlier this month for an alleged altercation with a 6

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