Lions' Frank Ragnow reveals the heartbreaking reason for shocking retirement

Just as the Detroit Lions were getting prepared to launch into another season of competing for a Super Bowl, Dan Campbell's mighty offense was thrown a major curveball when one of their best overall players, center Frank Ragnow, called time on his NFL career.

As OTAs are starting to ramp up, Ragnow officially retired from football after seven excellent seasons. Despite rumors that he was unhappy with his current contract, NFL insider Mike Garofolo reported that Ragnow's decision to retire was not related to money.

Ragnow took to social media to give fans some insight into why he decided to call it a career at this point, and it became clear to Lions fans wondering what is going on that his body couldn't take the punishment of an NFL season anymore.

“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 (sic) future," Ragnow said, via Instagram. "I have given this team everything I have and 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.”

Lions center Frank Ragnow reveals reason for retirement on Instagram

Once upon a time, Ragnow was a surprising first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft after a terrific career at Arkansas. In time, he would evolve into one of the best centers in the league and one of the more underrated players in the league, both before and during Detroit's rise to contention.

In seven seasons, Ragnow was named a Pro Bowler four times and an a Second Team All-Pro three times. One has to wonder how many First Team nods he would have received had Jason Kelce's peak not coincided with his own. Even as injuries took their toll, Ragnow was effective.

Pro Football Focus graded Ragnow as the third-best center in the league last season, with his run-blocking earning serious praise. There's no way to sugarcoat this; losing Ragnow is a titanic blow for this Detroit offense in the short and long term without a clear replacement.

Ragnow will always have a legacy as one of the greatest offensive linemen in Lions history. While it stinks to lose him in the middle of a championship push, Ragnow's years of service toward making Detroit what it is today will not be forgotten.