Nick Mangold on Playing for THEE Ohio State, his New York Jets Career, and 74 BBQ Sauce

In The Front Row with Mike Vaccaro

Nick Mangold grew up in Ohio, the oldest of four kids with three sisters. He was all-state in football while also wrestling and competing in the shot put. A highly recruited offensive lineman, Mangold chose Ohio State over Notre Dame despite his mom's wishes that he'd play for the Fighting Irish. A three-year starter at center for Jim Tressel, Mangold was a member of the 2002 National Championship team for the Buckeyes and won three Fiesta Bowls including his senior season defeating Notre Dame. The Jets made him the 29th overall pick in 2006 and he played his entire 11-year career in New York where he was a 7-time Pro Bowler who committed just 20 penalties in 164 games. At one time the highest paid center in the NFL, Mangold officially retired in 2018 and was inducted into the Jets Ring of Honor in 2022. Mangold remembers his journey and recounts his recruiting process along with the draft process. He also describes the role of a center in the offense, how his wrestling career helped his football career and his welcome to the NFL moment. Mangold also tells us what it was like playing with a revolving door of quarterbacks in New York and why he never entertained going anywhere else. Plus, Mangold gives us his take on being eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Now the owner of Mangold's 74 BBQ Sauce (https://www.mangolds74bbq.com/), he shares how the business began, the cause it benefits and the sauces that are named after his four kids.