For the first time since announcing his retirement, former Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow has revealed just how difficult the decision was to walk away from football.
Speaking candidly to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press about the process, Ragnow admitted he spent months trying to convince himself he could continue playing, even as his body told him otherwise.
“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 like in like paralysis, if you will. I did not plan on retiring in the middle of the summer, believe it or not. It was like 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 like, I don’t know, is the juice worth the squeeze thing and to me ultimately it came down to that decision.”
The seven-time Pro Bowler said part of the struggle came from watching his teammates continue without him. After initially trying to avoid football altogether, he found himself pulled back in by the emotional connection he still felt to the Lions organization.
“I tried to avoid games and tried to distract myself from it and 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 horrible decision and tried to get ready to play and 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 and 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.”
Ragnow also confirmed that his playing days are officially behind him.
When asked whether he had closed the door on a return to the NFL, he laughed before answering:
“Yeah, I’d say so.”
Looking back, Ragnow admitted there was a part of him that dreamed of making one last run with the Lions. Ultimately, though, his body made the decision for him.
“You convince yourself into this romantic story like, ‘Hey, come back and help this 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. “It’s a learning experience and at least I can say I lay my head on the pillow at night and say like I tried, I tried for the team, tried for the fans and it just wasn’t meant to be.”
For Lions fans, Ragnow’s comments provide a glimpse into the difficult reality many NFL players face. The desire to keep playing never disappeared. The body simply wouldn’t cooperate.
In the end, one of the greatest offensive linemen in franchise history found peace with the decision, even if it wasn’t the ending he originally envisioned.
Richard Knight
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