"Rod Wood acknowledged the negative reactions from fans and players regarding the Lions' request for a portion of Frank Ragnow's signing bonus, stating, 'I'm never surprised by anything so ... no.'"
"Wood explained the team's rationale, saying, 'We have to do what's right for our organization and if I worried about optics, we wouldn't do a lot of things.'"
"The Lions' approach to contract bonuses has historical roots, with Wood noting, 'Our precedent goes all the way back to Barry Sanders,' indicating a long-standing policy."
The Detroit Lions president Rod Wood confirmed the team requested a portion of Frank Ragnow's signing bonus after his retirement. Ragnow, a three-time All-Pro, signed a four-year, $54 million contract extension in 2021. Wood stated that the team's actions are consistent with their historical precedent, which dates back to the retirements of Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson. He emphasized that the organization prioritizes its standards over public perception and handles each situation uniquely.
Read at ESPN.com
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