**Hey Frank,**
We know you tried to play it cool, like everything was fine—but let’s be real: every Lions fan saw the pain you pushed through. That bad toe, the groin that never quite healed—you taped it all up, pushed through, and still showed up for 100 games, playoffs included. And through all of it, you held down the middle of one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
Still, we didn’t think this day would actually come. The day your body would finally say, *“That’s enough.”* When news of your retirement hit, nobody in Detroit started thinking about backups or contracts—we thought about *you*. Because to us, you weren’t just the center. You were the *centerpiece*. The guy who quietly powered the Lions through a massive turnaround.
And you never took the easy route. You gritted your way through injuries, week after week. You once said, *“If my legs work, I’m out there.”* That kind of toughness wasn’t just something you said—it’s how you played. And honestly, it became part of what it meant to be a Detroit Lion. We got so used to it, we forgot how rare that kind of dedication is—until you posted that retirement message on Instagram:
> “I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don’t… It was an absolute honor going to battle for you all.”
Frank, it was *our* honor. You showed Detroit kids what real commitment looks like. You were a top draft pick who showed up every day with a lunch-pail mentality. And you reminded this fan base—who’s been through a lot—that good guys *can* win.
Now it’s your time. Go focus on being healthy. Be a dad. Be a husband. Be *Frank*—not just No. 77. Just know this: Ford Field will always have a spot saved for you. And every future Lions center is going to hear your name when they line up and look downfield.
Once a Lion, always a Lion.
With all the love and respect,
**Detroit Fans**
