A father is a son’s first hero. And if stars align, and the father has a praiseworthy character, he could be the only one. That’s the case with the Lions’ center Frank Ragnow. For years, his parents took care of him in a gentle yet tough way. While his late father, Jon, made his practice outdoors, leaving a love for nature that is still present. Marty, his mother, ensured he was well-fed while also caring for his three younger siblings—Jack and sisters Kaie and Maddie.

When he first learned to write, he wrote about his life’s ambition. That was to play in the NFL and take care of his parents. Fast forward to 2021, the Lions’ signed a 4-year, $54 million deal, making him the highest-paid center at the time.

Who are Marty Ragnow and Jon Ragnow?

Marty Ragnow née Scroggs, a Hawarden native, liked sports since her days at the West Sioux School District. A cheerleader, volleyball player, and assistant manager of her school football team, she later fell in love with Jon Ragnow, a center during his high school days. They later had 4 children, the eldest of them being the Lions’ center Frank Ragnow.

A tough taskmaster, Jon made sure the children played sports. And being a football-loving family, it came naturally to the boys to aim big. With both brothers and other children, the backyard became the arena. Jon would stand on the deck and make them run routes, imparting some basic knowledge. But it takes an edge to excel among the toughest players in the country.

He took them on regular fishing and hunting trips. Jon and his two boys owned a cabin in the wilderness of Canada, only accessible by air or water. To this day, these activities give peace to the Lions’ center. But a big jolt was yet to come. On October 1, 2016, the family was celebrating Jon and Marty’s 22nd wedding anniversary. But he suffered a heart attack and passed away.

Playing in his junior year at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, things suddenly changed for Frank Ragnow. Although he concealed his feelings and didn’t grieve much, it ultimately sank in. He is working hard to fulfill life’s ambition since then.

Frank Ragnow remains indebted to his father for his NFL success

Two times in his life, made him miss his father beyond words. The first was when the Lions drafted him 20th overall in the 2018 NFL draft. And the second, it was when the Lions signed the record deal in 2021. When he started playing in the NFL, the feeling of being a superstar sank in. He once remarked, “In reality, every game I walk on the field and think, oh my gosh, my dad would be going nuts.”

Although he became the Lions’ key player, his habits of the game haven’t changed. Still an avid hunter and fishing man, he feels lively about these things. But as a tribute to his late father, he started ‘The Rags Remembered Foundation’ to help people grieving the loss of their family members. Although his father made him do tough workouts when he didn’t feel like so, it has helped him become the significant player he is.

Now, he takes care of his mother, Marty Ragnow, who survived breast cancer in 2015. She is proud of her son’s achievements, just like his father, who must be proud of him, as he believes. The family is truly close-knit.