Detroit Lions' Frank Ragnow honors late father with 'Rags Remembered' launch event

Thursday night was about more than football for Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow.

In between shaking hands with fans, making radio appearances and posing for photos with his mother, Marty, Ragnow’s emotions ran high. He was joined by dozens of others at Eddie Merlot’s in Bloomfield Hills for the inaugural “Dine with The Pride” fundraising event, hosted by Ragnow’s nonprofit charity, The Rags Remembered Foundation. This was the first event hosted by the foundation, and it raised more than $50,000 — including a $10,000 donation from Ragnow himself.

Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnow talks with fans during his personal charity's "Dine With The Pride" event at Eddie Merlot's in Bloomfield Hills in 2022.

Rags Remembered is named after Ragnow’s father, Jon, who died unexpectedly from a heart attack in 2016. The foundation’s primary focus is inspired by Jon’s love for the outdoors — something he and Frank have in common — and aims to support grieving families and disadvantaged youth, while also providing therapeutic nature experiences.

As Frank Ragnow welcomed almost every attendee he saw, he couldn’t help but think of his dad.

“My dad was incredible, I can’t say it enough,” Ragnow said. “One thing that a lot of people told me at (his) funeral was he had the ability to make everybody feel like they’re the most important person in the room. I don’t think I accomplish that like my dad did, but I definitely try to.”