Lions fans received unexpected news on Monday when their star offensive lineman Frank Ragnow announced his retirement on social media. Ragnow was not present at OTAs, raising some eyebrows last week and prompting the Lions to try alternatives at center. The All-Pro center shared a heartfelt message, detailing how difficult a decision it was to walk away from the game.
Following his message, Lions teammates flooded Ragnow's social media with messages of love, support, and appreciation.
Lions Teammates Rush to Show Their Appreciation for Frank Ragnow
David Montgomery, Taylor Decker, and Amon-Ra St. Brown were some of the Lions who replied under Ragnow's announcement. Montgomery thanked Ragnow for being a great teammate while Decker joked about how the 29-year-old offensive lineman is going to be lean.
This is a testament to the work Ragnow has put in on and off the field. He has established himself as one of the best players in his position throughout his Lions tenure, but it's his off-field work, locker room presence, and veteran competence that have earned the respect of his teammates in this manner.
Ragnow will sorely be missed by the Lions. Losing a key, long-term starter at this point in the offseason can never be an easy task, but Dan Campbell and the coaching staff have grown accustomed to dealing with absences over the years. The Lions were decimated by injuries all of last season, but were able to adjust and continue to thrive.
How Detroit will replace Ragnow in the lineup remains to be seen. This presents an excellent opportunity for rookie Tate Ratledge, who can get the starting job at center. Ratledge may be everything the organization is hoping he is, but it will be an uphill battle to try to fill Ragnow's massive shoes as a beloved teammate.