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New York Post
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Dan Campbell's emotional reaction to Frank Ragnow's shocking retirement at age 29
Dan Campbell lauded Frank Ragnow on Thursday with an emotional tribute days after the Lions center's shocking retirement at the age of 29. 'Frank's been unbelievable. Teammate, football player, man of the community. He's done it all,' the Detroit head coach said at a press conference, his voice cracking with emotion. 'He will be sorely missed.' Advertisement 4 Lions center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement in June 2025. NurPhoto via Getty Images Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowler with the Lions, announced his retirement Monday on Instagram. 'I've tried to convince myself that I'm feeling good but I'm not and it's time to prioritize my health and my families [sic] future,' he wrote in the post. Advertisement 'I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don't. I have to listen to my body and this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life.' As he spoke about Ragnow on Thursday, Campbell referenced one play from Detroit's 31-23 win over the Buccaneers in the 2024 NFC Divisional Round. With the Lions facing a fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line and the game knotted at 10-10, Detroit ran it up the gut with running back Craig Reynolds for the go-ahead touchdown. Advertisement 4 Lions center Frank Ragnow announced his retirement from the NFL Monday after seven seasons. AP 4 Frank Ragnow (77) during the Lions' NFC Divisional Round matchup against the Bucs in January 2024. Getty Images The play was a success due in large part to Ragnow, who managed to block one of Tampa Bay's biggest defensive linemen after a painful collision with the lineman's knee. 'It was huge,' Campbell said. 'That's the type of player he was.' Advertisement 4 Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that retiring center Frank Ragnow will be 'sorely missed.' AP The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Ragnow played seven seasons with Detroit, sticking by the franchise through its rise from NFC North bottom-dweller to Super Bowl contender. He dealt with a recurring toe problem during his career, which caused him to miss 13 games in 2021, and it flared up in 2022 as well. Ragnow was a Pro Bowl selection in each of the last three seasons leading up to his retirement, and leaves a void for Detroit to fill on the offensive line as the team looks to contend for a championship this season.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Packers' Romeo Doubs stunned by ‘stud' rookie receiver
The post Packers' Romeo Doubs stunned by 'stud' rookie receiver appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the Green Bay Packers going through OTAs to prepare for the upcoming season, one player who has stood out to many is rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden. As Golden is already developing a relationship with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and the rest of the team, one player who was impressed on Tuesday was fellow wide receiver Romeo Doubs. Advertisement One of the impact pass-catchers on the team, Doubs would be asked about his first impressions of Golden, to which he had no hesitation talking about how impressive he's been. He would call the rookie a 'stud,' and mention his work ethic and how he wants to learn from his teammates, according to Ryan Wood of 'Oh, man. Kid's a stud,' Doubs said Tuesday. 'Doesn't say much, but he just comes in and works. He's been real consistent in that area. If he has any questions for me, he comes to me. If he goes to Jayden [Reed], he goes to Jayden. He makes sure he asks as many questions as he can cause he is a rookie. Kid is playing fast right now, so I'm excited to see it.' Golden was taken with the 23rd overall pick by Green Bay, in what was an exciting time for many fans since they're not used to the team taking a receiver in the first round. Packers' Matthew Golden is complimented for his 'approach' Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin As Golden will continue to develop a relationship with Packers quarterback Jordan Love, he looks to build off his college career, where he played for the University of Texas. He played three seasons at the collegiate level, two with the University of Houston before heading in-state to Austin to play for the Longhorns, where he recorded 987 yards on 58 catches, averaging 17 yards per catch to go along with nine touchdowns. Advertisement LaFleur would point out to the media that he has adored Golden's 'approach' thus far while acknowledging that he 'still has a lot to learn,' according to Packers Wire. Still, the videos coming out of OTAs, as Golden catches passes from Love, are sure to make any fan excited. 'I like his approach, how he comes to work every day, 'LaFleur said Tuesday. 'He gives great effort, his attitude has been outstanding, and obviously he's a talented young player. Still has a lot to learn, but he's shown improvement every day.' At any rate, Green Bay is looking to improve after finishing with an 11-6 record, which put them third in the NFC North as they open the upcoming season on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the Detroit Lions. Advertisement Related: Packers' Matt LaFleur reveals intriguing experiment Related: Packers' 3-time Pro Bowler drops surgery revelation
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mina Kimes weighs in on ‘big' Frank Ragnow Lions retirement
The post Mina Kimes weighs in on 'big' Frank Ragnow Lions retirement appeared first on ClutchPoints. With the news of Detroit Lions offensive lineman Frank Ragnow retiring from the NFL after being with the team since being drafted with the 20th overall pick in the 2018 draft. As the Lions prepare for a grueling schedule, ESPN football analyst Mina Kimes speaks on how huge of a loss it is for the team now that Ragnow has retired. Advertisement Detroit has been known for its dominance in the trenches, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Kimes would say on 'NFL Live' that Ragnow's retirement is 'massive' since he was 'one of the best centers' in the NFL. 'It's massive,' Kimes said. 'The Lions' success over the last couple of years has really been inside out. It started with the offensive line, and you're losing Ragna, is one of the best centers of football, but you're replacing two out of three of the interior offensive linemen, Christian mahogany, who's playing guard did play some but he'll be a full time starter for the first time, and that creates a lot of questions and a lot of problems for a number of reasons. This run game, which has been so dominant, is incredibly complex.' Frank Ragnow's retirement could lead to pressure on Lions' Jared Goff © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images With Lions quarterback Jared Goff teasing new wrinkles in the offense, the loss of Ragnow no doubt impacts the team and brings up questions regarding their run and pass protection. Speaking of Goff, Kimes would bring up how the signal-caller is an 'incredibly pressure-sensitive' player, which makes the news about Ragnow even more concerning for the team. Advertisement 'The Lions run a ton of different concepts, so you're asking for a new combination to execute that, and then pressure,' Kimes said. 'Jared Goff has been absolutely fantastic in Detroit, but he remains an incredibly pressure-sensitive quarterback. Over the last two years, when he is kept clean, he is first league wide in QBR when he's under pressure, that drops to 27th so there's going to be a lot of pressure in a different way on this new offensive line, and their new offensive coordinator has to figure all of this out, and you know, it's going to be quite a transition to Detroit, but this is a big big loss.' At any rate, Detroit is looking to further improve after finishing last season with a 15-2 record, which put them first in the NFC North, though they were eliminated by the Washington Commanders in the divisional round.
Fox Sports
a day ago
- Business
- Fox Sports
2025 NFL Divisional odds: 3 early, unique betting trends
Between coaching changes, rookie additions, free-agency signings , trades and beyond, teams will enter the 2025 NFL season looking a bit different from last year. With that, wagering on the upcoming season has begun, including which teams will take home their respective division crowns. And so far, a few trends stand out at BetMGM — specifically in three divisions. Let's check out the odds at BetMGM Sportsbook as of June 3, as well as what to know about AFC East, AFC North and NFC North betting. AFC EAST Favorite: Bills -275 (bet $10 to win $13.64 total) Betting trends: Patriots have the highest ticket percentage (48.6%), the highest handle percentage (50%) and the highest liability. What to know: Buffalo has won the AFC East the past five seasons. Josh Allen is coming off of an MVP season, leading the Bills to set franchise records with 525 points and 65 touchdowns. Still, while Buffalo is favored to win the division again, bettors are instead eyeing New England. The Patriots acquired four-time Pro Bowl wideout Stefon Diggs this offseason, who is expected to star alongside second-year QB Drake Maye . They also brought in head coach Mike Vrabel — who made the playoffs three times in six seasons with the Titans — and strengthened their offensive line by drafting Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. AFC NORTH Favorite: Ravens -135 (bet $10 to win $17.41 total) Betting trends: The Browns have the highest ticket percentage (39.8%) and the highest liability, while the Steelers have the highest handle percentage (37.8%). What to know: The Ravens have claimed four division titles in the seven seasons that Pro Bowl quarterback Lamar Jackson has started in Baltimore. They finished their 2024 campaign with a 12-5 record and led the league with 3,189 total rushing yards. But it is the Browns — who have yet to win the AFC North since its inception in 2002 and sit at the bottom of the oddsboard to win the division at +3000 — that are seeing the most action at the window. Cleveland heads into the 2025 season with five quarterbacks, including two recent draftees: Dillon Gabriel , selected in the third round, and Shedeur Sanders , picked in the fifth. A starter has yet to be named. NFC NORTH Favorite: Lions +120 (bet $10 to win $22 total) Betting trends: The Vikings have the highest ticket percentage (32.8%) and have the highest liability, while the Lions have the highest handle percentage (37.9%). What to know: The NFC North had three teams finish above .600 last year, with the Lions leading the pack with a 15-2 record. Quarterback Jared Goff led the league with a 72.4% completion percentage, and the Lions also led the league with 70 total touchdowns. Detroit has only won the NFC North title twice since its inception in 2002 (2023 and 2024). The Vikings trailed the Lions ever-so-slightly with a 14-3 record last year. While bettors are leaning toward Minnesota, the team is currently tied for the longest odds to win the division with the Bears (+450) to win the division. In addition, the Vikes are presumably starting a new quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, who missed all of his rookie season due to injury. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amon-Ra St. Brown Reacts to Lions Teammate's Unexpected Career Decision
Amon-Ra St. Brown Reacts to Lions Teammate's Unexpected Career Decision originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Detroit Lions are gearing up for an exciting 2025 season, where ESPN BET gives them the best odds (+135) to win the NFC North and the fifth-best odds (+900) to win the Super Bowl. Advertisement There's no doubt they have one of the most talented rosters in the NFL, but on Monday, they suffered a major blow, as center Frank Ragnow announced on Instagram he'd be retiring at just 29 years old. The news has since garnered a lot of attention from some of his teammates, including wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who commented, "much deserved," followed by a heart emoji. Ragnow also walks away with two seasons left on a four-year, $54 million extension with the Lions. However, as he earned $79 million throughout his seven years in the NFL, money likely won't be a problem in his future. Advertisement However, there's no doubt that St. Brown and the rest of the Lions' offense will miss Ragnow as in 2024, he earned his fourth Pro Bowl appearance and Second-Team All-Pro honors for the third time. By the end of the year, he'd also earned an 85.3 overall grade (3rd/64 centers), 63.6 pass blocking grade (36th/64 centers) and a 90.8 run blocking grade (3rd/64 centers), per Pro Football Focus. Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow (77).Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Of course, despite retiring at such an early age, Ragnow lived up to the high expectations he faced when entering the NFL after the Lions selected him with the No. 20 pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Advertisement It will now remain to be seen if St. Brown and the rest of Detroit's offense can continue to produce in 2025 despite losing one of their most talented and successful players. Related: Eagles Have One Question After Saquon Barkley Named Madden Cover Player This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
