- May 21, 2026
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Frank Ragnow said Friday that he didn't want to retire. His body just didn't give him a choice.
He announced his retirement last June and attempted a comeback Nov. 29 but failed a physical with a torn hamstring.
Ragnow, 30, spoke for the first time since calling it quits after seven seasons.
"To shoot it to you straight, I was trying to will myself to play. I was,” Ragnow said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “And my body was telling me otherwise and I was just like in like paralysis, if you will. I did not plan on retiring in the middle of the summer, believe it or not. It was like I was trying to get like, ‘You can do it for the guys, for the fans; it’s who you are.’ But it’s just like I was uncomfortable, and it’s one of those things where you have a couple kids, and I don’t want a sob story. I’m OK. I’m going to be completely fine and everything. But it’s one of those things like, I don’t know, is the juice worth the squeeze thing and to me ultimately it came down to that decision.”
The four-time Pro Bowler felt guilty at leaving his teammates, but said he made a "horrid" decision to try to come back last season.
He has officially closed the door on ever playing again.
"Yeah, I'd say so," Ragnow said.
He announced his retirement last June and attempted a comeback Nov. 29 but failed a physical with a torn hamstring.
Ragnow, 30, spoke for the first time since calling it quits after seven seasons.
"To shoot it to you straight, I was trying to will myself to play. I was,” Ragnow said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “And my body was telling me otherwise and I was just like in like paralysis, if you will. I did not plan on retiring in the middle of the summer, believe it or not. It was like I was trying to get like, ‘You can do it for the guys, for the fans; it’s who you are.’ But it’s just like I was uncomfortable, and it’s one of those things where you have a couple kids, and I don’t want a sob story. I’m OK. I’m going to be completely fine and everything. But it’s one of those things like, I don’t know, is the juice worth the squeeze thing and to me ultimately it came down to that decision.”
The four-time Pro Bowler felt guilty at leaving his teammates, but said he made a "horrid" decision to try to come back last season.
He has officially closed the door on ever playing again.
"Yeah, I'd say so," Ragnow said.