(AP)New York Jets center Nick Mangold knew since March his sister Holley would be in the Olympics, and that the Olympics fell smack dab in the middle of Jets training camp. Since March, he and his sister both supported his decision to miss her competition so he could be with his team.
But now, under pressure from his coach Rex Ryan, CBS Sports reports Mangold left Jets camp so he can be there in London when his sister goes for weightlifting gold Sunday. Nick confirmed it with a tweet:
Anyone wanna guess where I'm heading? Thanks Rex, Woody, Mike and the rest of the @nyjets! Go @holleymangold! #GoUSA twitter.com/nickmangold/st…
— Nick Mangold (@nickmangold) August 4, 2012
Ryan started pressuring Nick to leave camp this week. When asked if he had convinced Nick to go to London, he said:
[ Related: Holley Mangold adapting to life in the limelight ]
"I think so. I think so, but we're not there yet. I'm laying the guilt trip on him, and everything else. And you know what? His teammates understand, and they're pushing him as well. It's not just me."
The only person who didn't push Nick was Holley. She told Fourth-Place Medal early in July:
"I'd choose training over going to one of his games, so I totally understand it. It's a bummer, but I know he'll be watching. I'm happy for his support, and I know it will be there."
[ Related: Weightlifter dislocates elbow in most gruesome Olympic injury ]
Now, with an assist from Ryan, Nick's support will be front and center.
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