Nick Folk says Nick Mangold’s spirit carried Jets to emotional Week 8 win

The New York Jets and their fanbase were dealt an unimaginable tragedy before the team's Week 8 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, as franchise legend and former All-Pro center Nick Mangold passed away due to complications from kidney disease at just 41 years old.

The Jets, as if somehow empowered by some powers from beyond, put together one of the great comebacks in franchise history to bring home a 39-38 victory and hand Aaron Glenn his first win as a head coach. Still, Mangold's death made this a somewhat reserved affair.

Of all those connected to the Jets, and Mangold specifically, who shared memories of what No. 74 meant to them, Folk's words may ring even louder than most due to the fact that he was teammates with the legendary New York road-grader.

Folk, who himself will turn 41 on November 5, was in tears when asked about what losing Mangold meant for this franchise. After the Jets pulled out the victory in dramatic fashion, Folk said that Mandolf was "there with us" when the clock hit all zeros.

Jets kicker Nick Folk shares reaction to Nick Mangold passing

Mangold leaves a legacy as arguably the greatest Jets interior offensive lineman ever, alongside Hall of Famer Kevin Mawae. Mangold, who grew up just minutes from Cincinnati's stadium in Ohio and was a Buckeyes star during his Ohio State tenure, was a Pro Bowler seven times and an All-Pro three times in his 11-season career. Mangold only ever played for the Jets in the pros.

The spirit of No. 74 was well and truly alive in this offensive line, as they surrendered just one pressure in the entire game against a defensive line that featured sack master Trey Hendrickson. Left tackle Olu Fashanu, who is earning Mangold's old number, was masterful.

Mangold was the heartbeat and a veritable well of emotional toughness for the last Jets teams to make some noise in the playoffs. Folk remembers all too well what Mangold meant to a team that was grinding down superior opponents in the playoffs, and he knows what he meant to those locker rooms.

Mangold will never be truly replaced in the Jets' locker room, but he will always remain intertwined with this franchise as someone who set an example of what a leader looks like. Mangold always came through when the Jets needed him, and the team embodied that quality in this victory.