Making the case for Frank Ragnow’s enshrinement into the Lions Hall of Fame
Frank Ragnow’s unexpected retirement sent a wave of emotion through the Detroit Lions fanbase. He was still playing at an elite level—dominating the trenches, anchoring the offensive line, and embodying the team’s gritty identity with remarkable durability. After years of doing the dirty work, Ragnow has stepped away—and now he deserves the spotlight. That’s why the center’s legacy should be cemented as the 22nd member of the Lions’ Hall of Fame, the Pride of the Lions.
The time is Ragnow
Frank Ragnow’s seven seasons with the Lions ran the gamut of highs and lows. A first-round pick turned four-time Pro Bowler and three-time Second-Team All-Pro, he was also part of two NFC North championship teams. He endured the defunct Matt Patricia–Bob Quinn kakistocracy, then thrived as a cornerstone leader under the Dan Campbell–Brad Holmes regime. He quite literally bridged eras—snapping first to Matthew Stafford, then to Jared Goff, two of the franchise’s most accomplished quarterbacks.
Ragnow was one of the last links to the “old guard,” and a key figure in dragging the franchise out of the depths of despair. The Lions went just 18-52-2 (.250) in the first four and a half seasons of his career—a stretch that exemplified the decades of futility that plagued the franchise. But then everything changed. Under Campbell, the team found its grit, believed in itself, and turned the corner—posting a 35-9 (.795) record over the last two and a half seasons. It’s one of the most remarkable franchise turnarounds in modern sports history, and Ragnow was instrumental in laying that foundation.
The Lions have already honored most of the obvious Pride of the Lions candidates from the pre-Super Bowl era. In the decades since, Ragnow’s 100 career starts (including playoffs) tie for 29th in team history. While that’s well short of Dominic Raiola’s franchise record of 205, Ragnow’s four Pro Bowl selections are tied for the sixth most by a Lion in the Super Bowl era.
Counting stats struggle to quantify Ragniow’s impact. He helped power one of the most successful three-year offensive runs in team history, anchored what was arguably the best offensive line in football, and helped establish the culture and camaraderie that now define the franchise. As a three-time captain, Ragnow was the tone-setting identity of Detroit’s trenches and a player beloved by teammates, coaches, and fans. He’s arguably one of the three best Lions offensive linemen of the Super Bowl era. Honoring him in the Pride of the Lions now—while his contributions remain fresh and widely appreciated—would be a fitting tribute to one of the best to ever wear the uniform and one of the premiere centers of his generation, during a season in which the team mounts yet another climb in its quest for the Lombardi Trophy.
A jam-packed Pride
The Pride of the Lions, established in 2009, is considered the organization’s highest individual honor. The inaugural class featured 12 inductees—each already enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Since then, the remaining four Hall of Famers who spent a significant portion of their careers in Detroit have also been inducted, along with five other standout players who don’t have busts in Canton.
The Lions currently have no obvious Hall of Fame candidates on the immediate horizon; their next most likely enshrinees are still on the roster and years from eligibility. But a Hall of Fame nod isn’t a requirement for the Pride. Ragnow’s early retirement—after seven stellar seasons and no First-Team All-Pro selections—may fall short of the Hall’s thresholds, but his impact in Detroit more than warrants a permanent place on the walls of Ford Field alongside the franchise’s greats.
Evolving the Pride
The current composition of the Pride of the Lions reflects the franchise’s decades of struggle. Of the 21 members, only six played for the team after 1977. A refresh—highlighting more recent pillars—would be a welcome and timely evolution.
Unlike other teams and their respective Hall of Fames, the Lions have not disclosed any induction criteria, decision-makers involved, or cadence for enshrinement. Several teams induct one or two members annually as part of a formalized process. Adopting a more consistent approach—such as honoring one player per year—wouldn’t dilute the distinction. If anything, it would reflect the team’s transformation. Detroit is no longer a perennial struggler but a sustained contender, and its Hall of Fame should reflect that shift. Ragnow, a foundational piece of this turnaround, is a perfect figure to help usher in the next chapter.
