Total Pro Sports
Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow is putting football in the rearview mirror, shockingly announcing his retirement from the game in an emotional social media post.
Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowler and a three-time second-team All-Pro, took to Instagram to announce the above on Monday, citing a realization that he can’t continue to put his body through the grueling requirements of being a professional football player.
“I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life,” he wrote in the post. “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.”
Lions C Frank Ragnow announces his retirement on Instagram—"I've tried to convince myself that I’m feeling good but I’m not and it’s time to prioritize my health and my family's future."
He played 7 years, and was named All-Pro after 3 of them. A rock in the @Lions renaissance. pic.twitter.com/SXWX5tqzff
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 2, 2025
Ragnow only missed one game for Detroit last season, sitting out against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 4 due to a torn pectoral muscle. He started every other game after that en route to a third-consecutive Pro Bowl nod.
Ragnow, 29, was the Lions’ first-round draft pick in 2018. He played 96 games for the NFC outfit, starting in all of them, and earned his All-Pro honors in 2020, 2023, and 2024.
He missed 13 games with a toe injury in 2021 and suffered another injury to that same toe the following season, but played through it.
Given the toll his career has taken on his body, it appears he’s no longer willing to go through the crucible of an NFL season.
We wish him all the best in retirement.
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