A former Lions star shared his perspective following the latest situation around retired center Frank Ragnow. The veteran O-lineman had been part of the team since he was picked by Detroit in the 2018 draft.

Upon Ragnow's exit, the team had asked him to return some of his signing bonus proration. The news shocked many in the NFL community because teams rarely do so in the spirit of the sport. Former Detroit safety Quandre Diggs challenged this long-running policy of the Lions.

“Love the Lions, but with seeing how other franchises have handled these situations, it may be time to change how you've done things in the past,” Diggs said.

According to the sources, Frank Ragnow took an early retirement last summer due to the severe injuries sustained, which include a fractured throat and chronic toe issues. He tried to come back in November, but failed to pass the physical tests.

Team president Rod Wood defended the Lions' stance by talking about former players who were also asked to return this money.

“Our precedent goes all the way back to Barry Sanders," Wood said. And if Barry Sanders paid back the money... 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."

Ragnow had $3 million left in his prorated signing bonus, which was initially $6 million. It came from the contract extension he signed in 2021, which made him the highest-paid center in the NFL at that time. The Lions have not disclosed how much money they have received from the former star.

However, other teams choose not to go this direction, as it strains the relationship with these players. Sure, the Lions got back $7 million from Barry Sanders and $1.6 million from Calvin Johnson. But both players remained unhappy with the decision, which led to a prolonged rift. No wonder that other players are coming out in support of Frank Ragnow.

Frank Ragnow sees more support come from the NFL community.

Former Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone, who is now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, had his two cents to add about the Frank Ragnow controversy. He called out the team for behaving in such a manner with the veteran player, given how much Ragnow pushed himself to be able to compete.

"Played through fractured throat, one week post meniscus clean up w/ stitches barely out, inoperable/unrepairable toe, etc.. "Hey, let me get that prorated signing bonus back," Anzalone wrote on X, mocking the Lions. "Do business as business is being done."

Despite being in pain, Ragnow showed up. He also had three Pro-Bowl nods towards the end of his career, which shows that there was still some fire left in him. It was only because he was physically unable to put himself through more wear and tear that he finally hung up his cleats.

The Lions had called him a "true warrior" when he failed his physical. That sentiment does not seem to be remaining in the team now. Rod Wood did not help Detroit's case when he said, "It's the Lions' money. It's not the player's money."

Sanders and Johnson have now resolved their issues with the franchise, but this is the risk that Detroit is taking with this frowned-upon move. In the future, should Ragnow speak up about being asked to pay up the amount, it might not be a good look for the franchise's image.

Do you agree with his take on the situation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Written by

Kunwar Yashaswee Chhaunker

Edited by

Afreen Kabir