Jets pay tribute to Nick Mangold as wife, kids serve as honorary captains

The Jets paid tribute to their legendary center Nick Mangold on Sunday, two weeks after he died of complications of kidney disease.

The Jets players and staff all wore black T-shirts during warmups that had Mangold’s image on the front and “A True Jet” written on the back, as well as 74. Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert, who also went to Ohio State, showed up to the game in Mangold’s No. 55 Ohio State jersey.

Fans were also given Mangold shirts upon entering the stadium.

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Inside MetLife Stadium, there were pictures of Mangold in two of the corners and No. 74 in the other corners.

Before the game started, the Jets showed a video tribute, and former tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, who played with Mangold for 10 years, addressed the crowd. The Jets had a giant 74 flag on the field during the tribute, along with an American flag. There was also a giant banner with Mangold’s image unfurled in the stands.

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Mangold’s wife, Jenny, and his four children were on the field for the ceremony and served as honorary captains for the coin toss.

Mangold, a 2006 first-round pick of the Jets, played for the team for 11 seasons. He made seven Pro Bowls and was first-team All-Pro twice.