Mark Sanchez and Nick Mangold (Photos via Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE)

Mark Sanchez has paid tribute to his former teammate, Nick Mangold, following the latter’s passing over the weekend.

Mangold, who spent his entire NFL career with the New York Jets, died on Saturday night due to complications stemming from chronic kidney disease.

He passed away just 12 days after taking to social media to reveal he was in need of a kidney transplant, reaching out to the Jets and Ohio State communities to request an organ.

Mangold was 41.

Sanchez, meanwhile, is awaiting trial following his arrest for his part in a brawl that left him nursing stab wounds. According to his attorney, he is still recovering, having been discharged from hospital.

Mark Sanchez Refers To Nick Mangold As His “Big Brother”

NY Jets football players Mark Sanchez (L) and Nick Mangold (Photo by Brian Killian/WireImage)
The former players were teammates for several years, with Mark describing Nick as a “big brother” in a social media post following his death and sharing several photos of them together.

“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, adding, “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,” Sanchez continued. “Our hearts are heavy. We will miss you. Rest easy amigo. I love you big fella. #74.”

ESPN analyst Rex Ryan, who coached both players during his time in charge of the Jets, was moved to tears while speaking about Mangold during ‘Sunday NFL Countdown’ ahead of the day’s action.

Mangold had also spoken about the incident involving Sanchez, labeling it “out of character.”

The former quarterback is scheduled to attend trial on December 11 following a felony battery charge and other misdemeanors.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.