Photo Credit: http://flic.kr/p/6RLNFx
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and so the time has come for Derrick Mason. Less than a year after his release from the Baltimore Ravens and spending some time with the New York Jets and the Houston Texans, the former WR returned to the organization to say goodbye.
After 15 years in the NFL (eight with the Tennessee Titans, five with the Baltimore Ravens), Mason decided to retire a Raven. “The decision wasn’t hard to retire, and the decision where to retire was just as easy,” Mason said. “Because like I said, my heart was here, it never left. My body left but my heart stayed right in these rooms.”
A little surprised that Mason didn’t retire with the Titans. But, the decision to retire a Raven is true testament to the team and their front office.
He is the team’s all-time leader in yards and receptions and the only player in NFL history with at least 5,000 return yards and 10,000 receiving yards.
Mason was regarded as one of the toughest players in the game, always playing with heart and grit, never missed a game in his five years in Baltimore. Also regarded as one of the best route runners in the game, Mason pushed out four 1,000 yard seasons during his tenure with the team.
Should Mason be inducted into the Ravens “Ring of Honor?” No question. Look up “warrior” in the dictionary and you will see his picture. Derrick was fiery on the field and a consummate professional off of it. A great deal of the team’s success goes to his credit.
During his press conference, Mason said he was sorry for not getting the opportunity to bring another Super Bowl back to Baltimore. No apology necessary, my friend. You played your heart out for this city, that’s all we could ask for.
Great Article! I love me some Derrick Mason and was sad to see him go last year. I was super excited that he returned to retire as a Raven. #ravensnation
Awesome article. Simple and to the point.