FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Before his death, NFL legend Nick Mangold remained committed to the sport that made him famous. Despite battling illness in his final months, Mangold still watched every game, shared words of encouragement with young players, and reminded them to “never forget the love of the game.”
This past weekend, New England Patriots rookie Drake Maye brought Gillette Stadium to a hush-hush by proposing a special moment of remembrance for Nick Mangold right before kickoff. The Patriots, along with members of the visiting team, stood in a circle at the center of the field, removed their helmets, and bowed their heads in silence, while a big screen played back-to-back highlights from Mangold’s illustrious career.
The emotional gesture was met with applause from fans and football fans across the country. Thousands of fans on social media called it “the best moment of the season,” while many praised Maye for his “maturity and respect beyond his years.”
After the game, Patriots owner Robert Kraft made a surprise announcement that the upcoming Super Bowl would feature a special tribute to Nick Mangold, as a way for the entire NFL to pay tribute to his contributions and dedication. “Nick loved the game until his last breath. He deserves to be honored on the biggest stage in football,” Kraft said.
For Maye, the gesture was not just a tribute to a legend, but also a reminder of the human value of sports. “Nick Mangold was the epitome of humility and dedication,” Maye said. “If I can pass on even a fraction of his legacy, it would be the greatest honor.”
When the Super Bowl lights come up, Nick Mangold’s moment promises to be one of the most emotional in NFL history.
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