about 74 bbq
Barbecue has become very near and dear to my heart. When I arrived in the NFL, Ron Heller, my offensive line coach, introduced me to the grilling and really opened my eyes to all the subtle joys and nuances of this world. That continued thrill has driven me to share my love of BBQ and create my own “signature” BBQ sauce. Initially, I just shared my sauces with my friends and family. My sauces incorporate flavors I personally enjoy in a sauce and textures that glaze perfectly over a grill’s flame.
I quickly became passionate about making the best all-around sauce with the finest ingredients. Once perfected, I decided to run with the idea of developing a sauce that I could share with everyone.
I immediately knew that I wanted the flavors and brand to have a connection with my family; So, I decided that I would create four sauces and each sauce would be with one of my children in mind. Their personalities would serve as inspiration. The first sauce, titled “OG”, is tied to my first son, as he is my original child.
The second sauce, a spicy BBQ sauce that reflects with my second son, as he is a firecracker of activity.
The third sauce will be a honey BBQ, an ode to my sweet first daughter.
My fourth sauce will be for my second daughter, the baby of the family who was born in the Fall of 2019 during apple harvesting time, so this will be a vinegar sauce that uses apple cider.
My family means everything to me and having this connection between my children and these sauces makes it even more special.
This passion has provided me the desire and motivation to make all Seventy Four BBQ sauces exceptionally as they are a direct reflection of the love I have for my kids.
about nick
Nick Mangold is a loving father, barbecue enthusiast, and former professional football player. A Dayton, Ohio native, Nick began his football career at The Ohio State University, where he was a three-year starter at Center. He claimed an NCAA National Championship with the Buckeyes in 2002. Nick was an NFL first-round draft pick in 2006, where he continued his career with the New York Jets. With the Jets, Nick was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and is regarded as one of the all-time best NFL centers.
Amongst his teammates and through his close circle of friends, Nick is known as a foodie who cleverly likes to put twists on his favorite foods and surprise his teammates and friends with his creations. His habitual tinkering led the development of his small batch BBQ sauce – a creation of three separate sauces combined into one multi- layered palette taste profiles, ideal for slathering, grilling or dipping. His friends have raved about it for years.
Nick, once finished with his football career and with the echoes of friends and teammates encouragement to “sell your sauce”, Nick diligently perfected the combinations of his recipe’s ingredients with the cores of pure maple syrup, vinegars, and sriracha, tinkered some more and decided he was ready to make another shotgun snap – this time into the world of entrepreneurship and the release of his initial two flavors: Sweet-Tangy, and Whole Lot O’ Heat - Spicy.