Frank Ragnow opens up on Detroit Lions retirement, failed return

· Yahoo Sports

Former Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow said he didn’t want to retire last summer after seven NFL seasons, but his body ultimately wouldn’t let him play any longer.

At his fourth annual Skeet Shoot Showdown on Friday, the four-time Pro Bowl center made his first public comments since walking away from the game at the age of 29 last June, where he explained his abrupt decision to retire and confirmed that his NFL chapter is closed.

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“To shoot it to you straight, I was trying to will myself to play. I was,” Ragnow said. “And my body was telling me otherwise, and I was just in like a paralysis if you will. 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, for the fans, it’s who you are.’ 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. I’m OK. I’m going to be completely fine and everything, but it’s one of those things where like, I don’t know, is the juice worth the squeeze thing? And, to me, ultimately it came down to that decision.”

Ragnow continued to describe that he struggled with the decision to retire and felt guilt about how the Lions performed in his absence last season.

"And then obviously, I struggled with that decision, too. And you see the guys and I tried to avoid games and tried to distract myself from it. Then, I started watching games and I felt guilt,” Ragnow said.

“Like Jared’s getting hit, that’s my guy. Those are my guys and they’re struggling. And then I made a bonehead decision and tried to get ready to play, got hurt and it’s just like, that was tough. That was really tough. But you know it all, everything happens for a reason and I am where I am now and I’m in a great place and the team’s in a good place. I’m excited for next season, so I guess it all worked out whether it’s the right way or whatever but we found a way and everything’s OK."

After Ragnow retired, the Lions moved guard Graham Glasgow to center and relied on first-year starters Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany at the guard spots.

As a result of the unexpected but necessary changes on the offensive line, Goff was sacked a career-high 38 times last season, and the Lions struggled with consistency on offense and stripped offensive coordinator John Morton of play-calling duties at midseason.

Ragnow briefly attempted a comeback before Thanksgiving, but the Lions' medical staff ultimately shut the door on his endeavor after he tore his hamstring while training a couple days before reporting to Detroit for his physical.

“It’s just kind of one of those things where like you convince yourself into his romantic story like, ‘Hey, come back and help the team go on a run,’ and that’s the beautiful thing about football, it’s like you got to put the work in and I got hurt what was it a day or two before I got there and it’s unfortunate but I should have listened to my body probably, but it is what it is,” Ragnow said. "Its a learning experience and at least I can say I lay my head on the pillow at night and say I tried. I tried for the team, tried for the fans and it just wasn’t meant to be.”

Although he lives full-time in Minnesota, Ragnow said he plans to continue with his charitable work in Detroit.

On Saturday, Ragnow is hosting about 40 kids for a day of fishing and outdoor activities through his Rags Remembered Foundation, which benefits children who have lost a loved one. Ragnow's father, Jon, died of a heart attack in 2016.

With the Lions signing Cade Mays in the offseason, Detroit hopes Mays will be a solution at center as it plans to return to Super Bowl contention following a disappointing 2025 season.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Frank Ragnow opens up on Detroit Lions retirement, failed return

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