Detroit center Frank Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who was key to coach Dan Campbell’s Lions revival, announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday after seven seasons.
Ragnow, 29, posted to social media that he has tried to convince himself he’s feeling well enough to play, “but I’m not,” he said.
“I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t,” said Ragnow, who was drafted 20th by the Lions in 2018. “I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life.”
Ragnow battled through multiple injuries during his career. In 2021, following a season in which he played with a fractured throat, general manager Brad Holmes made him the league’s highest paid center at the time with a $54 million, four-year extension.
Ragnow earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020, 2023 and 2024. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2020 under then-coach Matt Patricia, and then made three straight from 2022-24.
“These past couple of months have been very trying as I’ve come to the realization that my football journey is ending and I’m officially retiring from the NFL,” Ragnow said. “The Lions organization has been absolutely incredible throughout this process and I can’t emphasize this enough how grateful I am for this team and all the fans. It was an absolute honor going to battle for you all.”
Harrison Phillips, the eighth-year veteran defensive tackle with division rival Minnesota, raved about Ragnow when asked on Monday about the news of his retirement.
“He’s one of the best centers I’ve ever had the privilege to play against,” Phillips said. “I know that every time I had to play against him, I had to buckle my chinstrap extra tight and watch a lot of extra film.”
Phillips said his teammates on the Vikings’ offensive line would often ask him for tips about Ragnow’s technique because his fundamental blocking skills were so exceptional.
“The way that he played was acknowledged amongst all players on both sides of the line of scrimmage,” Phillips said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.