Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason officially announces his retirement from the NFLSubmitted by admin on July 13, 2009 - 2:00pm |
The Baltimore Ravens’ two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Derrick Mason is officially announcing his retirement from the NFL exclusively on JOCKlife.com.
“I have had a tremendous career and I played for two great teams, I had fun. In my career, I have been able to do everything but win a Super Bowl. I’ve had the opportunity to play on great teams and with great players. After 12 years, I have seen it all and done it all,” Mason stated. “Right now, I am content with the decision I am making. All good things come to an end and I am ready to see what else life has to offer.”
“I have been thinking about this since the season ended. Emotionally I am just not that enthused. I have not been that enthused to get up and work out…it was getting to that point. This decision has nothing to do with the contract situation; I have made enough money, more than enough money. Emotionally there are things that are more important. It’s time right now. I don’t know what’s going to happen from here, but it’s going to be really nice to see what life has in store for me. What I want people to remember about my NFL career is that I played hard…played hard in practice and the game. I tried to make everyone better and would do anything to help.”
Mason, 35, spent his collegiate career at Michigan State before being drafted in the fourth-round of the 1997 NFL draft. Mason played with the Tennessee Oilers/Titans up until 2004. In Tennessee, Mason finished his Titans career as the fourth-leading receiver in team history with 453 receptions.
In 2005, Mason joined the Baltimore Ravens via free agency where he went on to lead the Ravens in every receiving category by setting a Ravens’ franchise record and career high mark with 103 receptions. Mason also became the first player in Ravens history with 100 receptions in a single season.
Last season, Mason hauled in 80 receptions for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns. Mason was the main weapon for rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. Throughout his career, Mason played in 186 games, catching 790 passes for 10,061 yards and 52 touchdowns.
Aside from being a great receiver, Mason also made a name for himself as an extremely dangerous kick returner and punt returner. In 2000, Mason set an NFL record for highest total of all-purpose yards in a single season with 2,659.
The Baltimore Ravens will now be left with a relatively young group of receivers to step in and fill the void that will be left with Mason retiring. Although they are young, Mason still feels that he left the organization in good hands.
“I have left them in great hands,” explained Mason. "Mark Clayton is a younger version of me and Williams can be a true player, he can be in the elite class. Smith, Harper, Washington, they all are a young group that can only be better with Joe in the backfield.”
Now that Mason has finished his football career, his only plans are to spend time with his family and possibly get into the radio business. As far as what else Mason has in store for the future, he simply proclaims, “to be continued”.
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It was a very intriguing
It was a very intriguing football game! I just wish every game could be this exciting. Dozensports.com covers lots of sports, plus it ranks sports blogs and portals. It might be worth checking out…
hi
hi derrick mason, pleseee dont retireeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. i will seein u on the field catchin toochdowns.
Come on man!
Hope it's just Mason emotionally drained from dealing with McNair's death and not some ploy from a retarded agent. He is a class act, always will be. Finish your contract out and hang them up with a Ring man!
BTW Why does at least one a**hole steelers fan ALWAYS have to comment on something not even remotely related to them with a "we kicked your butt's, GO STEELERS" comment? I will enjoy it when Big Ben goes out early on IR cus he has been sacked more times then a Pitt street hooker.
IF it happens it's alright
if Mason leaves the Ravens then let him. Sure i wouldn't want to see him go, and sure he waited till after free agency and the draft, but the Ravens also have a decent running game which will also hpoefully improve. And im sure Cam Cameron will do something with the other receivers because if it weren't for him Flacco wouldn't be as good as he is. Also im sure Ozzie Newsome will do something about getting a new receiver. But yeah i won't believe Mason retires UNTIL i either see him or dont see him week 1 against the Chiefs!
Mason has been one of the
Mason has been one of the most underrated receivers in the NFL for many years. If he wants to retire, then that should be accepted by the fans and the Ravens organization. You people don't want him to go but you don't want to pay him either. If Mason wants to hang it up then he has every right and honestly he doesn't owe anyone an explanation. He can retire whenever he wants and he doesn't have to give anyone fair warning. When players get cut, they don't always get fair warning or even an explanation as to why.
We Love you Derrick don't go!
Derrick please don't leave us!!! Us fans love you and need you! Please reconsider! It would mean the world to us.
How can he do this to us?
Derrick whats wrong with you? Baltimore has showed you so much love and support & this is what we get in return? A big slap in the face? You gave us absolutely NO warning. I really liked Derrick but this just pisses me off. Play your last year for the Ravens and then retire. Please it would mean so so so much to the team & the fans.
THE RAVENS ARE IN TROUBLE!!!
With mason retiring, they need to pull the trigger quick and get a wide reciever quick. Maybe brandon marshall or marvin harrison. They need a veteran to help out there receving core. If not, they will have trouble breaking even. Ozzie is forced to make a move now because they have a championship team THIS YEAR!!! There are no guarantees next season. Personally, I like harrison, you can get him for cheap and it puts the ravens back in super bowl contention. Well just wait and see, I refuse to believe ozzie won't do anything.
Your right - the ravens are
Your right - the ravens are in trouble but it's not because Mason is retiring. You always need to be afraid of the Steelers. As I'm sure you're aware, we kicked their butts 3 times last year. I also remember winning the fight in the 2nd game. Lots of blood all over the ravens uniforms. Bottom line - PITTSBURGH STEELERS own the little ravens!!!
Big Moe
Untrue
i don't think this is true....Derrick Mason has more class than to leave the sport in this fashion. His agent made a very bad choice in orchestrating this ploy....bad for Derrick's on the field life and bad for his off-the-field reputation. You need a new agent Derrick.
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