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Lions CB sends an emotional farewell to Frank Ragnow after surprise retirement

Originally posted on Side Lion Report
By Jaleel Grandberry | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 4:13 PM ET

Monday was a rough day for the Detroit Lions, as starting center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement from the NFL at just 29 years old. Ragnow wasn’t just the starter in Detroit, he was one of the best centers in the NFL, making four Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams in his seven years in the league. As a key piece to what the Lions do offensively, it’ll be a challenge for the team moving forward without Ragnow on the field.

It’ll also be tough for the franchise to proceed without Frank Ragnow in the building at all. Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold made that point on social media, sharing that he’s going to miss seeing his former teammate in the building everyday.

Going to miss seeing you in the building Frank
— Terrion Arnold (@ArnoldTerrion) June 2, 2025

Lions players wish Frank Ragnow the best as he retires

Arnold was drafted by Detroit in 2024, so he only knows a Lions building with Ragnow in it as a leader. However, he wasn’t the only former teammate to send a message to the former limeman on Monday. In the comments of Ragnow’s emotional retirement post, several other current and former Lions’ players wished him well.

Cornerback Darius Slay, who’s now with the Pittsburgh Steelers, congratulated his former teammate on an amazing career. Cleveland Browns defender Julian Okwara, who played in Detroit from 2020 to 2023 called Ragnow one of the best to ever do it, and expressed how much he appreciated their time together. Those were just a couple of the several messages that prove Ragnow was as good of a teammate as he was a player.

Now, Detroit will have to work on replacing both: the player on the field and the figure in the locker room. While the retirement was a surprise to the masses, the Lions’ moves this offseason show the franchise knew it was a possibility, or the team is just really lucky. Either way, Detroit has a couple of younger guys that will try to fill Frank Ragnow’s massive shoes.

This article first appeared on Side Lion Report and was syndicated with permission.

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