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Mark Sanchez has paid tribute to ex-teammate Nick Mangold after the New York Jets legend died at the age of 41.
Mangold passed away on Saturday night after complications related to chronic kidney disease, the Jets announced.
The iconic center, who played his entire 10-year NFL career with New York, revealed only 12 days ago that he desperately needed a transplant.
Retired quarterback Sanchez, who is currently awaiting trial over a violent brawl with a truck driver, played alongside Mangold for the Jets.
They were teammates for half a decade and on Sunday, following news of Mangold’s death, Sanchez released a statement on social media.
‘We lost a good man today. I know @nickmangold will be a hall-of-famer, but there’s more to his story than his accomplishments on the gridiron,’ he wrote on X.
Mark Sanchez has paid tribute to Nick Mangold after the Jets legend died at the age of 41
‘He was more than a teammate. He was my big brother who introduced me to the NFL. He showed me the ropes. He was my friend and confidant.
‘He was a role model and a great father to his children and husband to his wife. Our hearts are heavy. We will miss you. Rest easy amigo. I love you big fella. #74’
Earlier this month, Mangold spoke out on the shocking incident that saw Sanchez stabbed, arrested and charged with a felony, branding it ‘completely out of character.’
Sanchez is due in court on December 11 after police said he was stabbed during a fight with a truck driver outside an Indianapolis hotel on October 4.
Sanchez faces a felony battery charge, along with several misdemeanor charges, for what prosecutors have said was a fight over parking. Sanchez and Fox Sports also face a civil lawsuit filed by 69-year-old Perry Tole.
A judge set a trial date earlier this week but the former NFL star’s attorney warned his recovery from his injuries may force a delay to proceedings.
Tim Delaney said: ‘Thank you for allowing our client to be excused from today’s hearing. He is still recovering from the injuries he sustained and the medical intervention.
‘That process is ongoing. It may impact some of the dates but right now we’ll note those dates for our calendars.’
Sanchez was hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso, according to a police affidavit. A picture of Tole circulating online shows him in a neck brace on a hospital bed, covered in blood with a deep slash to the side of his face.
A police affidavit alleges that Sanchez, smelling of alcohol, accosted Tole, who had backed his truck into a hotel’s loading docks in downtown Indianapolis on October 4.
