All-Pro Center Frank Ragnow Calls It a Career

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowl selection over his seven NFL seasons, announced his retirement on social media Monday, bringing an end to a remarkable and resilient career in professional football.

"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 shared 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. I have given this team everything I have, and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don't."

Throughout his career, Ragnow demonstrated incredible toughness and determination, often playing through significant injuries. Notably, in 2021, after enduring a season playing with a fractured throat, his grit and value to the team were recognized when general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell rewarded him with a landmark $54 million, four-year contract extension—making him the highest-paid center in the league at the time.

At just 29 years old, Ragnow participated in 16 games last season, missing only the Week 4 matchup against Seattle due to a partially torn pectoral muscle. Despite the setback, he returned quickly and didn't miss a single start afterward, showcasing his durability and commitment. His outstanding performance earned him a coveted spot in the Pro Bowl for the third straight year.

Drafted in the first round by the Lions in 2018, Ragnow steadily built his reputation as one of the premier centers in the NFL. He earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020, 2023, and 2024, and received his first Pro Bowl selection in 2020 under then-head coach Matt Patricia. Over his career, he started every one of the 96 games he played—an impressive testament to his consistency and reliability on the field.

Frank Ragnow’s retirement marks the close of a chapter defined by resilience, leadership, and exceptional skill, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Detroit and the NFL as a whole.