The Frank Ragnow chapter in Detroit Lions history has officially come to a close. The four-time Pro Bowl center recently revealed his retirement at age 29, choosing to step away after a standout seven-year run. Drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Ragnow spent his entire professional career in Detroit. Given what he represented to the franchise, the team made sure to give him a proper farewell.

That farewell came in the form of an emotional, nearly four-minute tribute video shared on social media. Beginning with his draft night, the video highlights Ragnow’s excellence on the field and his character off it. For longtime Lions fans — and for those unfamiliar with Ragnow’s significance — the tribute made his impact unmistakably clear.

From the moment he joined the team, Ragnow was a fixture in the starting lineup and consistently gave his all to the city. With 96 starts across seven seasons, it might appear he avoided serious injury, but the truth is, he endured plenty. Despite this, Ragnow often pushed through, battled back, and played at a high level regardless. His toughness stood out.

That’s why it’s completely reasonable that Ragnow chose to step away now, saying it was time to prioritize his health. If he says he’s done, there’s no question he’s reached his limit. Still, he retires leaving Detroit in a far better situation than when he arrived. Early in his career, the Lions were bottom-tier and often mocked. Now, they’re a legitimate contender with real Super Bowl hopes.

Ragnow was a major part of that evolution, and now he finally gets a chance to recover and enjoy life. Meanwhile, the Lions face the tough task of sustaining their upward momentum without one of the best players and most respected leaders in franchise history.