Mangold had said he would not attend because he didn’t want to leave his teammates during training camp. The Jets play their first preseason game Friday night against the Bengals in Cincinnati.
Holley, who played football at Alter, had insisted she understood her brother’s decision, but the more you talked to her the more you got the idea she wished he were there.
Although new to the sport and initially figured to be a contender for the 2016 Games in Brazil, the 350-pound Mangold made almost unheard of progressions in her sport and finished second at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Just as importantly, she had lifted the A Standard of weight required to enter the Games. And so she became one of three American weightlifters to make it to London this year.
Jets head coach Rex Ryan and several Jets players thought Nick Mangold should be there to see his sister. Ryan has admitted trying to lay “the guilt trip” on him.
“You know what? His teammates understand,” Ryan told reporters Wednesday. “I think they are pushing him as well. It’s not just me.”
Earlier Ryan had called it “a once in a lifetime experience” and said if it were his brother competing he would be there to support him no matter what.
Saturday, Mangold sent out a Twitter message early saying: “Anyone want to guess where I’m heading?” He included a photo from an airport terminal, thanked the Jets and added, “Go @HolleyMangold”.
In June Mangold did salute his sister to the Associated Press: “It’s awesome, and I’m extremely proud. I mean, it’s an amazing accomplishment. As an older brother, you love to see your siblings do great things and this is something she tried to do and was successful at it and it’s a great thing to see.”
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