SouthernWorldwide.com – Former Detroit Lions star center Frank Ragnow experienced an unusual 2025 NFL season, despite not playing a single game.
Ragnow, 30, made the surprising decision to retire abruptly during the summer of 2025. He announced his retirement through social media. Later, in November, he attempted a comeback and sought to rejoin the Lions. However, this effort was cut short when he failed his physical examination due to a severe Grade 3 hamstring strain.
The four-time Pro Bowl selection revealed that his intention was never to retire midway through the previous summer.
Ragnow explained his mindset during that period, stating, “To shoot it to you straight, I was trying to will myself to play, and my body was telling me otherwise. And I was just in like a paralysis if you will.” He elaborated on his initial plans, admitting, “I did not plan on retiring in the middle of the summer, believe it or not. I was trying to get like, ‘You can do it,’ for the guys, the fans … like, it’s who you are.”
He further described the internal conflict he faced. “But it’s just like I was uncomfortable, and it’s one of those things where you have a couple kids, and I don’t want a sob story,” Ragnow said. “I’m going to be completely fine and everything, but it’s one of those there where like, ‘is the juice worth the squeeze’ thing, and to me, ultimately it came down to that decision, and obviously, I struggled with that decision too.”
Ragnow maintained his physical conditioning, which facilitated his attempt to unretire in November. He acknowledged feeling discomfort in his hamstring but was unaware of the full extent of the injury.
“I got hurt a day or two before I got there, and it’s unfortunate. I should’ve listened to my body probably, but it is what it is,” Ragnow stated. “It’s a learning experience, and at least I can say I laid my head on the pillow at night and said I tried. I tried for the team. I tried for the fans. And it just wasn’t meant to be.”
Ragnow dedicated his entire seven-year NFL career to the Lions after being selected by the team in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Following the 2021 season, Lions general manager Brad Holmes made Ragnow the highest-paid center in the league at that time, signing him to a four-year, $54 million contract.
He earned Pro Bowl selections in consecutive seasons after signing the lucrative deal, consistently ranking among the top centers in the NFL despite enduring injuries throughout his career. In his final season, Ragnow notably played in 16 games while managing a partially torn pectoral muscle.
