Sacrifice
Many of you may already know this, but I am a diehard fan of the Detroit Lions. If you follow pro football at all, you know that the Lions are now one of the hottest teams in the NFL and are in the conversation to finally win a Super Bowl.
Today, their center Frank Ragnow announced that he is retiring after 7 outstanding seasons in the league, all of them with the Lions.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DKZ4Tukttds/?igsh=MWJ2MGhob3p5aTFzNg==
This quote from Frank’s Instagram post really hits me hard:
“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 future. I have given this team everything I have and I 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.”
I can only imagine how this young man struggled with the decision, especially considering the team could realistically be playing for the Lombardi Trophy next February.
Could Frank have gutted it out and played through the pain another year? That question will remain unanswered. I will say this, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a tougher dude that wasn’t an MMA fighter or a Navy Seal. For him to hang up the cleats, you know he’s in pain.
If you don’t know Frank’s personal story, his father Jon passed away unexpectedly when Frank was still playing college ball at Arkansas.
A couple years back, Sarah and I joined David Haupt from the Michigan DNR to shoot a short feature about a fundraising event for Frank’s foundation named for his beloved father, “Rags Remembered.” The segment was featured in an episode of the TV show we produce for Outdoor Channel called “Wardens.”
https://youtu.be/HZHhvNcAXEg?feature=shared
We got to chat for a few minutes with Frank and his mom, Marty. They were both very gracious when Sarah started sobbing as she heard about the loss of Frank’s dad. Marty gave Sarah a hug that only moms can give. After meeting them and seeing the mission of their foundation to help kids deal with grief and loss, we talked the whole way home about what special people they are.
Sarah, Frank and Tom-May 2023
Frank is a dad himself now, and his decision to retire is about family and being healthy enough to enjoy life. While it hurts to lose him as a player, I respect him for making the choice he needed to make. Nothing in this life is guaranteed and I’m sure Frank understands that better than most.
The question was raised today if Frank will one day be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH. I’m not a HOF voter, but I personally think his career merits a gold jacket, even if it was shorter than others who have been selected. I am admittedly biased, however.
I can tell you this, Frank Ragnow is a Hall Of Fame human in my book.
Thanks for the sacrifices you made to bring joy to the hearts of us Lions fans. Best wishes in your next chapter, #77!
-Tom