PHOENIX \u2014\u00a0The Detroit Lions, once again, find themselves at the forefront of a public financial situation regarding one of their former top players.<\/p>\n
Lions president Rod Wood, set to retire after 11 years in the role, told the Detroit Free Press<\/a> this week that the Lions sought a portion of Frank Ragnow\u2019s prorated signing bonus back, after the former All-Pro center retired abruptly last June at the age of 29. Ragnow suffered a number of serious injuries in his career and cited a desire to prioritize his health in his retirement announcement, after years of putting his body on the line for his teammates. An attempted comeback in November when the Lions needed center help was further proof of that, but a failed physical revealed he\u2019d suffered a grade 3 hamstring strain \u2014 a complete tear. The Lions signed former Panthers center Cade Mays to a three-year deal in free agency, signaling a new era at the position.<\/p>\n And yet, this headline reads as more of the same from the franchise.<\/p>\n Not long after Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders retired three years into a six-year contract, he was ordered by an arbitrator to pay back a portion of his signing bonus. The relationship between player and team was strained for years, before a reconciliation occurred years later \u2014 only for the Lions to have another falling out with one of their own. The organization asked Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson to repay $1.6 million of his signing bonus when he retired in 2016. Johnson was publicly critical of the organization and the relationship deteriorated. However, the Lions and Johnson were eventually able to smooth things over and are now on good terms.<\/p>\n All this to say, the Lions have a habit of asking their stars for their money back.<\/p>\n \u201cOur precedent goes all the way back to Barry Sanders,\u201d Wood told the Free Press. \u201c\u2026 And I think the reality is, they\u2019re not paying back their money, they\u2019re returning our money, because they were paid in advance for services that they hadn\u2019t completed.\u201d<\/p>\n Needless to say, it was a topic in NFL circles Tuesday.<\/p>\n What former Lions and NFL players said<\/p>\n As the news made the rounds, a handful of former players offered their take on social media.<\/p>\n Former Lions safety Quandre Diggs: \u201cLove the Lions but with seeing how other franchises have handled these situations, it may be time to change how you\u2019ve done things in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n Former Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone: \u201c(Ragnow) played through a fractured throat, (played) one week post-meniscus clean-up w\/stitches barely out, inoperable\/unrepairable toe, etc. \u2018Hey let me get that prorated signing bonus back.\u2019 Do business as business is being done.\u201d<\/p>\n And finally, former Eagles center Jason Kelce went a bit longer with his thoughts on the matter. As a former center, he understands better than anyone the physical toll the position can have on a player.<\/p>\n