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Y! MyWebQ&A | Nick Mangold
Big Apple agrees with Jets' hungry offensive lineman
Friday, October 10, 2008
From the halls of Alter High School to the shores of the Hudson River, New York Jets center Nick Mangold has come a long way.
He not only plays the "heavy" in the middle of the Jets' talented offensive line, he gets to snap the football to legendary quarterback Brett Favre.
And now that the Jets have moved into their spectacular new headquarters in Florham Park, N.J. — they've finally exited Hofstra University on Long Island — Mangold can get back into his old routine.
Busting into Manhattan in search of food is almost as much fun as blocking defensive tackles and linebackers.
Q How's your relationship with Favre?
A We've been making good strides since he showed up here during training camp. It's been fantastic to be able to snap to a guy of his caliber, and I've been having fun being able to talk with him and learn from him.
Q What's it like snapping to a legend?
A Oh, it's fantastic. When I was growing up, you dreamed of being able to play with Brett Favre, and now you get the chance. It's something special and very exciting for me.
Q How have you improved in three seasons?
A I'm taking a good look at myself and what I'm doing and how I can improve. And then I'm working with teammates and trying to make sure that I'm doing all the right things at the right time, and that I'm doing what others are expecting me to do.
Q Are you proud of making 36 straight NFL starts?
A Oh, definitely. It's exciting to be able to be in the NFL for one. And then to be able to be a starter, it's something special and not to be taken lightly. I enjoy every moment of being able to be here.
Q You're coming off a bye. Do anything fun?
A Yeah, my wife (Jenny) and I went to Napa in California. I always heard that it was a beautiful time of year to do it. So we had the early bye and tried to take advantage of it, and headed out there for a little fun and frivolity.
Q Do you get into the city (Manhattan) much?
A I do. I enjoy getting into the city. I haven't recently because of the moving to New Jersey and everything. But now that we're pretty settled in, I expect to be back out there at least once a week — just to get out and see the sights and sounds.
Q What do you do in Manhattan?
A Really, being 300 pounds, you don't do much other than eat. So usually it's just going to new restaurants. Luckily the city has more than their fair share. You can always find something good, no matter what time.
Q What charity are you involved with?
A I'm still kind of putting my hand in multiple cookie jars. But I have a couple of favorites. There's one out here — the Little Saint Nick Foundation, which is a fantastic program, helping out kids in hospitals — and, obviously, St. Jude's is a big one.
Q How proud are you of your sister, Holley?
A I'm very proud of her. She was able to do what she wanted to do (play football at Alter High School). And now that she's moved on to college, she's able to continue doing what she wants to do. She's at Ursuline College (Cleveland suburb of Pepper Pike). She's working on track and field and, at the same time, competitive weight-lifting.
Q What advice do you have for high school kids who dream of playing in the NFL?
A Keep working and keep studying in the classroom, because you'll never make it to college without your grades and never be able to get ahead in life without working hard. Those are my two main points whenever I get a chance to talk to someone. It's always: "Work hard at whatever you want to do, and work hard in the classroom."
Mangold Trivia
Wears uniform No. 74.
Has started all 36 games since entering NFL.
Oldest of four children with three sisters, including Holley, a champion powerlifter who played football (offensive line) at Alter.
Married to Jennifer Richmond, his high school sweetheart.
Favorite TV shows are "The Office," "Entourage" and "King of Queens."
Hobbies: Travel, dining out and community service.
Quotable "He's got very good body control. He plays with an excellent base. Very rarely is he off-balance, and he's able to adjust to moves. In terms of knowing and anticipating what they're (opponents) going to do, he's able to use that information to his advantage. He has excellent natural instincts for the position." — Jets head coach Eric Mangini on Nick Mangold
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.
