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When Frank Ragnow was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round, he immediately was starstruck. Matthew Stafford, THE Matthew Stafford, had his number and texted him on Friday morning.
“You know, he texted me earlier today and I was just in awe. Matthew Stafford texted me,” Ragnow told reporters in his introductory press conference. “And I actually responded saying, ‘Mr. Stafford.’ He said, ‘I’m not that old.’ I learned my lesson quick there, but it’s incredible.”
Ragnow’s teammates must have caught wind of this conversation, because they immediately ragged on him via social media. Enter: T.J. Lang.
Initially, Lang’s introduction seemed innocent enough.
Thanks TJ excited to get to work!
— Frank Ragnow (@KNARFWONGAR) April 28, 2018
Aww, that’s nice. The two may very well be working side-by-side and they’re already getting along. But it turns out this was a setup, and T.J. struck without warning:
Freaking knew it. My apologies Mr. Lang.
— Frank Ragnow (@KNARFWONGAR) April 28, 2018
Though Lang has only been with the Lions for one year, he has already established himself as the team jokester, as highlighted by his in-season video series “Talking with T.J.”
But it appears his dry wit has spread across the locker room, all the way to left tackle:
You can all call me “Mr. Big Daddy” https://t.co/9l51RGBTXi
— Taylor Decker (@__taylordecker) April 28, 2018
Ragnow is going to have to fight some bright personalities to win the spotlight among the offensive lineman, but he may be up to the task. He already has a YouTube series of his own called “Grizzly Man Outdoors” where he and his brother Jack go fishing. He also has a great Twitter account, where he shares pictures like this amazing Halloween costume, which made the best of a bad situation after he suffered an ankle injury:
It’s over. Frank Ragnow just won Halloween. #BarstoolHalloween pic.twitter.com/4TGcT3LAa2
— Barstool Arkansas (@BarstoolUA) October 31, 2017
So if you aren’t excited enough about the prospect of an extremely talented and athletic offensive line, get ready for some entertaining big-man antics in the locker room.