Mason, 35, reported to training camp around lunchtime Saturday, pulling into the team hotel in his Maserati sports car. He was greeted with boisterous hugs, including one from Jack Harbaugh, Ravens coach John Harbaugh’s father.
Mason, who had quietly filed his retirement papers in a procedural move to avoid facing fines after initially being placed on the reserve/did not report list, has written a letter to the league office to be formally reinstated. The two-time Pro Bowl selection took a physical and is scheduled to practice this morning at McDaniel College after immediately bolstering the Ravens’ thin wide receiver situation.
Mason, who was all smiles during a brief, coy interview with the Carroll County Times and the Baltimore Sun after meeting with general manager Ozzie Newsome and John Harbaugh and calling team owner Steve Bisciotti around 11 a.m. during the team’s morning practice, had been soul-searching as he contemplated whether he would continue to play football.
Mason was affected by several issues, including a private family situation, the murder of his close friend, Steve McNair, and an unresolved contract demand as he enters the final year of a five-year, $20 million contract. Ultimately, the two-time Pro Bowl selection decided that he had unfinished business in Baltimore.
“It was a tough decision, but I think it was a good decision for me to come back," Mason said in a statement released by the team. "I needed to evaluate my life, football and my career. The last several weeks thinking about it and talking with my family was an important time for me and them.
"I still have an intense fire inside me, and I want to play. My family and I wanted to finish it out the right way. I felt like I had left something undone, and I wanted to finish it. I believe this is a good example for my son and my daughter on how to be thoughtful and also follow through."
Mason initially announced his retirement July 13, days after attending a funeral for McNair.
Newsome, commenting through a team spokesman, said that Mason was “very enthused and excited about rejoining his teammates. He told us even at the time he said he was going to retire that he has been working out. It was good to see.”
Mason had publicly and privately lobbied for a contract extension. However, at least for now, Mason is slated to play under the same $3 million salary. In the past, team officials have indicated that they’re amenable to considering extending Mason’s tenure for another year or two.
Mason declined to expand on his statement after returning from his physical, but is going to talk with the media after this morning’s practice along with Harbaugh.
Mason led the Ravens with 80 receptions for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns last season, dwarfing the combined production of the other returning receivers.
“I definitely feel that now it’s our time to be there for him,” wide receiver Marcus Smith said. “He took time away to be with his family and get his stuff together, and now it’s our time to rally up, be behind him and help him get back in the groove of playing the game.
“I definitely know he was with his family and wasn’t even thinking about football. Now, he’s back with us. We’re going to take a little bit of time to get him back with the mojo going and go from there.”
Mason definitely has had a lot to deal with.
Although his retirement announcement, which came through his agents and seemed very orchestrated, was initially interpreted as a ploy for a new contract, it was actually more complicated than that because of personal issues.
When Mason made his announcement, he seemed serious about his intention to walk away.
“After 12 years, I have seen it all and done it all,” Mason said on July 13. “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.”
And now he’s back in the fold after thinking things over.
Despite a torn labrum and damaged scapula, Mason toughed it out last season. And he caught a dozen passes for 190 yards with one touchdown in three playoff games.
Last year, Mason eclipsed the 10,000 career receiving yards milestone.
He has generated more than 1,000 receiving yards in seven of the past eight years and set a franchise record with 103 receptions two years ago.
How much better are the Ravens offensively with Mason?
“A thousand times better,” Smith said. “It’s definitely a good thing for the team overall because he’s got good leadership and years of experience.
“A lot of guys in the room may or may not have wanted him back, but I definitely think it’s a good thing for us as a receiving corps. It gives us a little bit more depth and we’ve got that veteran leadership back.”
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
