New York Jets center Nick Mangold blamed his recent injury setback on his own “stupidity.” Yup, that’s right, Nikky is stating it like it is.
New York Jets center Nick Mangold is known for a lot of things.
He’s a stellar football player. Obviously, this has to be the case. Any NFL center to pile up seven Pro Bowl nods has to be.
He’s also an insanely hilarious personality. Just one glance at his past antics would make any rational human being understand that notion.
He’s also tough. Missing only four games over 10 seasons is a tribute to just that. That’s why fans and Jets people alike were curious to know why such a minor thing like an ankle would keep the tough guy out of the lineup for two straight games.
It appears we now have our answer, via Rich Cimini of ESPN New York. When asked why he was back in a walking boot, after previously being free of it, Mangold answered quite honestly.
“It was part of my own stupidity,” Mangold said. “I was trying to do too much, too soon. I’m not very good at listening to doctors. I hear what they say, but I’m just not good at listening.”
Indeed, stupidity. But let’s be honest, no Jets fan would ever get on Nikky for pushing it too hard. It’s part of his DNA, his football persona. It’s the exact characteristic that has endeared him to all of Gang Green fandom.
“That’s what has been difficult,” he said. “I’ve always trended in the right direction. As soon as I’d get injured, the next day was the worst I felt, then I always got better. To go backward has been difficult. … It is getting better, slowly but surely.”
With New York slated for a BYE week following the Rams game, it seems Mangold’s target to play again will come on Nov. 27 when Tom Brady and the New England Patriots come to MetLife Stadium, a Sunday Night Football affair.
