Stud Center for the Detroit Lions firmly puts a stop to retirement rumors
Many thought that All-Pro center Frank Ragnow may retire because of his long series of ailments and general manager Brad Holmes’ statement that the Detroit Lions would give him time to reflect this winter.
Ragnow, however, put a quick stop to that conjecture and left no opportunity for interpretation.
“I’m not retiring,” Ragnow declared while attending the NFL Honors in Las Vegas, according to the Detroit Free Press.
For the record, neither Holmes nor Ragnow ever mentioned the word “retirement” when talking about his future. However, the two’s remarks following the NFC championship game defeat opened the door to rumors and queries over Ragnow’s future. And considering everything he went through not only this season but also the previous three, that’s just human nature.
His season ended after four weeks in 2021 because of the toe injury that has plagued him ever since. Although Ragnow claimed that this season’s training staff and new health director helped him “see the light” regarding his toe, the problem is thought to be unfixable and require ongoing care.
In 2022, Ragnow played despite chronic pain. Despite this, he was selected for the Pro Bowl and consistently received top rankings from sources like Pro Football Focus and ESPN’s block win-rate statistics.
And then he was dealt a few different curveballs this season.
Early in December, Ragnow appeared to have sustained a serious knee injury against the New Orleans Saints. After a procedure, he returned to play after missing just one game due to a knee injury.
And that was at the time he was still troubleshooting the weekly injury report’s knee, back, and toe problems.
Subsequently, during the divisional-round victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ragnow sustained a sprained ankle and a sliced knee. That day, he played every offensive snap. The following week, against the San Francisco 49ers, he played every snap for the final 72 minutes of the season.
Ragnow has demonstrated that he is one of the league’s genuine warriors, having previously completed a game while suffering a fractured throat. Whether or not he is totally healthy, the 27-year-old has continued to be one of the league’s finest centers, if not the best, when he is on the field.
After the season concluded, Ragnow remarked, “It really takes a toll on you.” Thus, I must figure out how to contact Frank again. And while none of this is regrettable, it still affects you.
“And to make sure that I’m feeling well, not just for myself as the football player, but also for me to be the best spouse and parent and everything with that as well, I’m just going to take some time and really figure everything out.”
Ragnow is rated as the best center by PFF for both the regular season and the postseason. As the best run-blocking center in the game, he only gave up one sack in 697 pass-blocking repetitions. When it comes to what he can play through and how he has performed despite discomfort, Ragnow is absolutely unique.
And in 2024, he will still be a vital component of the Lions.
During his final news conference of the season, Holmes stated, “And look, Ragnow, it’s only one of those on the globe, in my opinion.” “Yet I simply appreciate his time and his opinions because I have so much respect for him and everything he struggles through.”
