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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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