After just seven years of playing in the NFL, Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow has announced his retirement.
Ragnow had been in a contract dispute with the Lions for a number of months following their season ending in the NFC Divisional round to the Washington Commanders.
Now, at age 29, Ragnow revealed in an Instagram post that he would be ending his career.
‘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 said in the post.
‘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 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.
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow has shockingly announced his retirement
Ragnow had been in a contract dispute with the team as the last of his guaranteed salary had been paid out – leaving the $9.8million he is set to earn this year unprotected
Ragnow is a three-time All-Pro and four-time Pro-Bowler after seven seasons in Detroit
‘The Lions organization has been absolutely incredibly 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.’
A native of Minnesota, Ragnow was a four-star prospect out of high school and chose to attend the University of Arkansas over offers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, Ohio State, and Florida State.
Ragnow was a two-time first-team All-American and two-time first-team All-SEC in college before heading off to the 2018 NFL Draft.
Detroit selected Ragnow 20th overall in the 2018 draft and he developed into one of the best offensive linemen in the league.
Across his career, he was named to the All-Pro second-team three times and earned Pro-Bowl honors four times.
In recent days, Ragnow and the Lions had been in a contract dispute – with the lineman absent from optional team activities last week.
He signed a deal worth $54million over four years, with $42m guaranteed, back in 2021. However, the last of the guaranteed money has been paid out.
Now, with his retirement, the Lions are now forced to start two new pieces on the offensive line after Kevin Zeitler joined the Tennessee тιтans in free agency.
