Frank Ragnow’s retirement caught a lot of people off guard—none more than those who saw up close how tough and reliable he was in the trenches for the Detroit Lions. One of those people is Ben Johnson, the former Lions offensive coordinator and current head coach of the Chicago Bears.
After news broke that Ragnow was stepping away from the game at just 29 due to a long list of injuries, Johnson had nothing but respect for the four-time Pro Bowl center.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been around a tougher player,” Johnson said via CHGO Sports.
And honestly, it’s hard to argue.
Johnson saw Ragnow battle through more injuries than most players would even consider playing with—knee, ankle, back, groin, and even a fractured throat. Yet, game after game, season after season, Ragnow lined up and anchored one of the best offensive lines in the league. He appeared in 80 games during his career, many of them while banged up.
One standout moment? In the 2023 playoff win over Tampa Bay, Ragnow got hurt mid-game—spraining both his knee and ankle—but still bulldozed Pro Bowler Vita Vea on a 4th-and-goal play that led to a touchdown. The Lions eventually won that game 31-23.
Even while battling injuries, Ragnow stayed elite. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked top-five in run blocking and overall grades for centers in each of the past three seasons—including back-to-back No. 1 finishes in run blocking and the highest overall grade in 2023.
Ben Johnson’s tribute is well-deserved. Ragnow wasn’t just tough—he was the heart of Detroit’s offensive line and a big part of the Lions’ recent rise. Replacing him won’t be easy.
“Ben Johnson Salutes ‘Toughest Player’ Frank Ragnow After Shocking Retirement”
