Seven-time Pro Bowl C Mangold to retire with Jets

Nick Mangold has played his last snap in the NFL. A seven-time Pro Bowl center, Mangold announced on Tuesday that he'll sign a one-day contract with the New York Jets next week so he can retire as a member of the organization. "I DECLARE RETIREMENNNTTTTTTT!" Mangold wrote on Twitter. "... Thank you to all! J! E! T! S! Jets! Jets! Jets!" The 34-year-old Mangold was selected by the Jets with the 29th overall pick of the 2006 NFL Draft and played 11 seasons with the team. He sat out last season after being released by the Jets in February 2017. Mangold posted a lengthy note on Twitter thanking coaches, family and teammates at all levels for helping him on his path in football. "Everything that happened from pee-wee football to high school football to having the good fortune to play at The Ohio State University molded me for my opportunity to play for the New York Jets," Mangold said. "In my 11 years as a Jet, there were plenty of ups and downs but, through it all, I wanted to be the Steady Eddie. I wanted to be the guy that other guys looked at to see how it was done. I learned this attribute from the vets that I played with. "My biggest regret is not bringing the Lombardi Trophy to New York but, as I retire, I will continue my efforts to bring the Trophy home in a different capacity. I have no idea what that capacity is but I'm sure I will figure something out in the future." Mangold played in 164 games during his career, but he missed eight contests in his final season after sustaining a serious foot and ankle injury that put him on injured reserve.