Frank Ragnow has announced that he won’t be returning to the Lions in 2025.
On Monday, the All-Pro Center shared via Instagram that he is retiring from the NFL at the age of 29.
“The last few months have been incredibly challenging as I’ve come to terms with the end of my football journey,” Ragnow said. “I’ve tried to convince myself I was okay, but the truth is I’m not, and it’s time to prioritize my health and my family. I gave everything I had to this team and thought I could contribute more, but, well, the reality is I can’t. I need to listen to my body. This is one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. The Lions organization has been amazing throughout this process, and I can’t express how grateful I am for this team and all the fans. It was a true honor to fight for you all.”
This news comes right after a strong season for the Lions, who went 15-2 but faced a surprising exit in the divisional round.
Ragnow’s decision seems largely influenced by ongoing health issues, particularly foot injuries that have plagued him over the years.
He missed 13 games in 2021 due to what he described as a severe case of turf toe. In 2022, he experienced another injury to that same toe but managed to continue playing.
By 2023, Ragnow recognized that his injuries had escalated to a point where surgical intervention was ineffective and he’d have to cope with his toe issues for the remainder of his career, as he mentioned to the Detroit Free Press.
Interestingly, he only missed one game last season despite dealing with a partial chest muscle tear. After that setback, he went on to play all 16 games and earned a Pro Bowl selection for the third year in a row.
Ragnow was drafted by the Lions in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, going 20th overall, and spent seven seasons with the team.
