Former NFL center Frank Ragnow spent his entire seven-year career with the Detroit Lions before retiring at the end of the 2024 season. A four-time Pro Bowler and three-time second-team All-Pro, Ragnow was one of the league’s most consistent linemen during his tenure.
However, following his retirement, the Lions treated his situation similarly to how they handled Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson.
Ragnow had signed a four-year, $54 million contract extension with the Lions that included a $6 million signing bonus. After he retired, Detroit asked for a portion of that money to be returned, in line with the policy they previously applied to Sanders and Johnson, which caused tension in those relationships.
“Our precedent goes all the way back to Barry Sanders. And if Barry Sanders paid back money," said team president Rod Wood, via the Detroit Free Press. "And I think the reality is, they’re not paying back their money, they’re returning our money. Cause they were paid in advance for services that they hadn’t completed."
Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Unlike the Lions, other teams have not typically required players to return portions of their signing bonuses. As a result, many fans have criticized the organization.
"The Lions quoted Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson to justify taking money from a man whose body failed him. 'Returning our money' is cold corporate language. These franchises will honor your jersey but still send an invoice," one fan wrote.
"Ah yes let’s do the thing that created a rift with our all time greats twice already," another added.
"Organization which hasn’t won a title in 70 years trumpets value of its historical practices," a third commented.
However, not everyone disagreed with the Lions.
"People need to get over the fact that the nfl is first and foremost a business. Both the owner and the player are in it for money," one fan wrote.
"People who dont understand contracts will be mad about this 😂," wrote another.
"He didn’t finish his contract… so his signing bonus should be given back prorated on the time he’s not going to play. What’s wrong with that?" asked one fan.
Ragnow attempted to come out of retirement in November to rejoin the Lions, but he failed his physical after being diagnosed with a Grade 3 hamstring strain and ultimately halted his return.
Over the course of his career, Ragnow started 96 games and consistently performed at a high level as a run blocker, earning a PFF grade of at least 78.0 in every season after his rookie year. His overall career grade of 91.7 ranks seventh among the 165 centers who have played at least 1,000 snaps since 2006, placing him just behind former Colts standout Jeff Saturday.
