Former Lions center Frank Ragnow breaks silence on unplanned retirement and comeback attempt
Detroit Lions former All-Pro Frank Ragnow breaks silence. What led to his sudden and unplanned retirement, the last-second comeback attempt, his relationship with the Lionsnow, and why he says the door is now fully closed.
It was a big deal when the Detroit Lions lost center Frank Ragnow ahead of the 2025 season. It was a major blow to the Lions’ offensive line. That’s why the excitement was at an all-time high when Ragnow tried to come back mid-season. Unfortunately, an injury happened right before then.
On Friday, we got a chance to talk to Ragnow at his annual Rags Remembered skeet shoot outing, and we learned a lot from the former All-Pro center, including why his retirement was not initially planned and what happened with his comeback.
Ragnow did not initially plan to retire the summer before the 2025 season
Ragnow’s retirement seemed very abrupt, and it truly shocked everyone when it happened. Especially when the Lions hadn’t really planned around it during free agency and the draft. Well, Ragnow says that is because he tried very hard to get himself ready for the season, but his body was not cooperating.
“To shoot it to you straight. I was trying to will myself to play, but my body was telling me otherwise.” Ragnow said. “And I was just like, in like paralysis, if you will. That’s why, I mean, I did not plan on retiring in the middle of the summer, believe it or not. It was like I was trying to get, like, ‘you can do it for the guys, for fans, for you. It’s who you are.” but I was uncomfortable and it’s one of those things where you have a couple kids and I don’t want a sob story, I’m okay, I’m gonna be completely fine, and everything, but it’s one of those things, is the juice worth the squeeze thing, and to me, ultimately it came down to that decision.”
What happened with Ragnnow’s comeback in 2025?
Ragnow said it was guilt that was eating him when he tried to come out of retirement after Thanksgiving, and in trying to get his body ready to come back, he got injured two days before the physical.
I tried to avoid games and tried to distract myself from it. I started watching games, guilt, you know, like Jared’s (Goff) getting hit, that’s my guy, like those are my guys, and they’re struggling. And then I made a bonehead decision and tried to get ready to play, got hurt, and it’s just like that was tough, that was really tough.” Ragnow said. “… I talked to a few of the people, and it’s like, hey, it’s kind of one of those things, you know, you convince yourself into this like romantic story, like, hey, you come back and help the team go on a run, and that’s the beautiful thing about football, it’s like you got to put the work in, I got hurt what was it a day or two before I got there? And it’s unfortunate, but I should have listened to my body, probably. But it is what it is. It’s a learning experience, and at least I can lay my head on the pillow at night, and say, like, I tried for the team, tried for the fans. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
Is Ragnow fully done with football?
Without a doubt, Ragnow said yes. That chapter is over, and the door is closed. There will be no other comeback attempt. He’s really enjoying retirement.
What’s Ragnow’s relationship with the Lions like now?
“I guess that’s a tough question to answer. I’d say, obviously, the reports out there, whatever, and I don’t know why they leaked it, but that’s on them.” Ragnow said referring to the report that the Lions are asking him to pay some money back. “I am trying to be a positive glass-half-full, whatever you say. There’s so many, I’m a people person, there’s so many great people in that facility and on that team, and I’ve got nothing but love and respect, and I’m rooting for all of them.”
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