Fragel on active squad
Fletcher Sharpe Special Writer
November 21, 2013
When the Cincinnati Bengals came to Michigan to face off with the Detroit Lions, it provided another one of Grosse Pointe’s native sons a chance to return to the state.
Offensive lineman Reid Fragel, formerly of Grosse Pointe South and then The Ohio State University, was inactive against Detroit, but sat down to talk about his experiences along the way.
“Yeah, this is my first time back, so it gives me time to see family and some friends from home.” Fragel smiled and said. “My first time on the field was in Dallas, and it was one of the more interesting game experiences I’ve ever experienced. It was a good way to see where I was at, as a player. I would have liked to play it while fully healthy, but it opened my eyes moving forward. I’m playing against the best guys in the world.”
In relating back to his Grosse Pointe roots, Fragel saw his mentor as former head coach of Grosse Pointe South, Mike McLeod.
“Yeah, it was Coach McLeod, for sure. He coached my brothers, and he helped me fall in love with the game of football. He passed before I could play for him, but he was definitely my role model and mentor.”
On his progression of his game, Fragel credited that to Urban Meyer at Ohio State. “I switched from guard to tackle, so it was a learning curve. Coach Meyer pushed us more than I thought possible.
“(OL coach) Ed Warinner, and (Grad assistant) Kirk Barton both helped me learn how to play tackle.”
When touching on whether or not he still communicates with anyone at South, Fragel nodded, “I still talk with Coach (Tim) Brandon. I actually wrote the team a note for the South-North game.”
When told of the result, Fragel laughed “Yeah, I know, I still keep up with them.”
Fragel’s Bengals beat the Lions 27-24 behind a late field goal.
A couple of weeks later, Fragel was activated.
