
Lions center Frank Ragnow suddenly retires from NFL at 29 in major blow
NY Post
Frank Ragnow will not be running it back with the Lions in 2025 on the quest to avenge their early playoff exit.
On Monday afternoon, the All-Pro center announced his retirement from the NFL at 29 years old.
“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 wrote 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 families [sic] future. I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t. I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life. 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.”
The retirement comes as a blow to the Lions following their dominant 15-2 season that ended in surprising disappointment, losing to the Commanders in the divisional round.
The decision seemed to come from mostly health concerns and the four-time Pro Bowler has notably had several injury run-ins in the past, specifically with toe problems.
He missed 13 games in 2021 due to what he called “the most severe degree of turf toe.” He later suffered a different injury to the same toe during the 2022 season, but managed to play through it.

Suddenly, someone had hit a rewind button and everyone had been transported back seven months. It was early spring instead of late fall, it was broiling hot outside the arena walls and not freezing cold. Everyone was back at TD Garden. There were 19,156 frenzied fans on their feet begging for blood, poised for the kill.












