New York Jets legend Nick Mangold showed he can chug as well he can block
Former New York Jets center and NFL star Nick Mangold made sure to show his support for his cross-league neighbors, the New York Rangers, in epic fashion.
Partly through the second period of the Rangers’ Game 5 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Madison Square Garden jumbotron cameras found Mangold sitting in the stands amongst other hopeful Ranger fans.
Once Mangold noticed he was on the screens, he immediately stood up and started hyping up the crowd, as if he was a pro wrestler preparing for a finisher. With most of the Garden now in a full-blown frenzy, Mangold sent the Rangers’ faithful into overdrive the way only an offensive lineman can – with a top-tier beer chug.
You have set the bar, @nickmangold pic.twitter.com/HoRE14iAzX
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) June 10, 2022
After spending a decade setting the bar for NFL centers on the field, Mangold is now setting the bar for them off the field too, according to the Rangers.
The two-time All-Pro has been feeling a lot of love from the Big Apple lately.
The Jets announced on June 2 that Mangold would be inducted into their Ring Of Honor along with two fellow Gang Green teammates, offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson and cornerback Darrelle Revis.
Mangold and Ferguson were both drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft and will become the first pair of teammates to make the Ring Of Honor from the same draft class since defensive tackle Joe Klecko and wide receiver Wesley Walker, who were both drafted in 1977. Mangold’s seven Pro Bowl appearances are the second-most in team history, behind only fellow center and Ring Of Honor member Kevin Mawae.
Unfortunately for the Rangers, Mangold’s magic wasn’t enough to will them to victory, as they would lose 3-1 to the Lightning in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
After jumping out to an early two-game lead over the reigning Stanley Cup champions, New York has taken a nosedive, losing three straight and now facing elimination with a loss in Game 6 (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET).
Hopefully, for Ranger fans, Mangold included, the boys in blue will find a way to stay alive and force another electrifying Game 7 in the Garden, this time with a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals on the line.
