Frank Ragnow is Detroit Lions' Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee for 2023
Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow is the Detroit Lions' Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee for 2023.
Ragnow, in his sixth NFL season, has been a key cog on one of the league's best offensive lines, and is known for his charitable work off the field.
He started his Rags Remembered Foundation in 2022 as a way to help children grieving with the loss of a loved one, and in memory of his father, Jon, who died of a heart attack in 2016.
Ragnow told the Free Press last week the foundation has worked closely with about 100 kids in the past two years at outdoor events he holds across the state. Ragnow is an avid hunter and fisher who enjoyed the outdoors with his father.
“I don’t think we’re anywhere near where I want to be impact wise, but it has been really cool to be able to see the looks on kids faces, read the letters of kids we’ve been able to impact, whether it’s helping them grieve or just giving them a good day," Ragnow said. "It’s been pretty sweet to have it finally, cause it feels like I’ve been working on this foundation forever to come full circle."
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The Walter Payton Man of the Year is awarded annually to a player who both excels on the field and demonstrates "a passion for creating a lasting positive impact beyond the game."
Nominees from all 32 teams receive a donation of up to $55,000 for the cause of their choice, and the award winner receives a $250,000 donation.
Ragnow suffered a knee injury in the Lions' win over the New Orleans Saints last Sunday and his availability is uncertain for this Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.
In a statement released by the team, he said he was honored to be up for the award.
"I am incredibly grateful to be recognized for one of the most prestigious honors in our league, especially while being on a team filled with so many guys who impact the community in different ways and have supported the Rags Remembered Foundation," he said in the release. "My family and I take a lot of pride in this foundation, and to be able to help grieving families through the outdoors is something that we are very passionate about. This is a huge step in being able to help a lot more kids and families in the future."
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him @davebirkett.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions C Frank Ragnow is Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee
