Between the fans’ adulation and his teammates’ good-natured digs about all the time off he had from practice while contemplating retirement, Mason was a happy man.
Following a serious life crossroads marked by soul-searching and uncertainty, the two-time Pro Bowl selection was in a good enough mood to jokingly complain about a lack of fanfare surrounding his arrival. He wanted the Terrell Owens treatment, referencing how the Buffalo Bills’ star wide receiver was greeted at the airport by a marching band.
"They promised me a band," Mason said with a smile. "Shoot, T.O. was in Buffalo a day and he went to the airport and got a band. I’m like, ‘Man, I’ve been here for four years and I can’t even get the Girl Scouts to come out. That’s bad, man."
In all seriousness, though, football is a major relief to Mason at this time.
The 35-year-old has been through a difficult period where he dealt with personal family issues, mourned the death of his close friend and former teammate Steve McNair and also dealt with the frustration of an unmet request for a contract extension as he enters the final year of a five-year, $20 million contract.
For Mason, McNair’s murder offered a sobering reminder about how precious life and family are. He announced his retirement days after attending McNair’s funeral.
"It impacted my decision on whether to continue to play or retire," Mason said. "When something like that happens out of the blue, it makes you think about certain things, where your life is headed, where your football career is. That was a factor, but there were a lot of other things that were a factor also and all of those things combined together brought me to that one decision to retire."
Mason announced his retirement on July 13 and actually filed his retirement papers with the league in a procedural move to avoid being fined after being placed on the reserve/did not report list.
At the time of his announcement, it seemed a bit orchestrated with Mason issuing a statement through a Web site owed by his agents nearly approximately when he left the Ravens’ training complex.
"I just wanted to make an informed decision about retirement, when I made it was I was sincere about it," Mason said. "It wasn’t a ploy or anything contractual. It was a decision I made from the heart. I think it sends a good message to my children to finish what you started. I’m going to finish this thing and see where I go from here."
Mason was adamant that he didn’t return based on any contract overture. He’s set to play this season for a $3 million base salary, and he informed Ravens coach John Harbaugh when he returned that he was 100 percent committed to play this season and didn’t want to broach the subject of his contract.
Team officials haven’t been opposed to at least considering his request for a new deal, though.
"I haven’t talked about a contract extension," Mason said. "I told coach Harbaugh, ‘If I come back, it’s going to be because I want to come back. When I decide, if I decide, it’s going to be because my heart is in it.
"I don’t want to hear anything about contracts because I don’t want that to be a carrot hanging over my head with people saying, ‘Well, he just came back for the contract. No. I didn’t get an extension. I haven’t been talking about an extension. I’m coming back to play football and to try to win a Super Bowl."
With Mason lined up outside to bolster a thin, inexperienced receiving corps, the Ravens’ chances of contending certainly have been boosted.
When the Ravens made it to the AFC title game last season, Mason led the team with 80 receptions for 1,037 yards and five touchdowns.
"Derrick’s a huge part of our team, a huge part of our offense," tight end Todd Heap said. "I think he just wanted to take some time and make sure what he was doing was right for him and his family. We were all wondering what he was going to do, but everyone was happy to see him.
"Derrick’s been one of the best receivers in the NFL, let alone the Ravens, for many years. So, having him out here brings a huge part to our offense. We can do so many more things with him than we can without him. It’s great to have him out here.”
Another reason Mason returned was the camaraderie of his teammates. He received numerous phone calls and text messages and was visited at his home by Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and wide receivers coach Jim Hostler.
"It meant a lot," Mason said. "They just wanted to express to me that they respected my decision and they were with me either way. That’s all you want."
Although Mason is coming off left shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and a damaged scapula, he appeared to be fine Sunday as he caught several passes from Flacco. Mason had a red jersey tucked into his uniform belt to signify that he wasn’t to be hit.
Injecting Mason’s toughness into the lineup is a major bonus.
"With his leadership, we were missing that on offense," running back Ray Rice said. "He’s an upbeat guy in the huddle. He’s not a guy who is just a leader, his athletic ability is off the charts. Last year, he played with one arm. That speaks for itself.
"I just love to play with a guy like that because you know here he comes from. You see him coming out here, full of excitement, and it’s great to have a guy like that, just with his presence alone."
Mason could have obviously delayed his return to miss out on the dog days of camp in Westminster, but he didn’t think that would be fair.
"Why wait?" he said. "Of course, I could have waited, but who would that have helped? Nobody. I promised coach Harbaugh when he sat down in my living room that I would make a decision in due time and I would tell him at the right time and I wouldn’t linger this thing on."
With Mason back, the Ravens’ prospects for toppling the defending AFC North and Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers certainly seem stronger.
“The best part is having Derrick Mason back on our football team,” Ha rbaugh said. “I’ve said it from the beginning and I’ve told Derrick this: ‘We’re a better football team with Derrick Mason.’ We thought we’d be a good team no matter what, but we’re better with Derrick. ..
"The thing that Derrick and I talked about was, ‘Come back when and if you’re 100-percent ready to play football and be a part of what this team needs.’ That’s what he wanted to do."
And Mason insists that he won’t change his mind about his return a la indecisive Brett Favre, but he won’t make a commitment to the team beyond this season.
For now, he’s only thinking about this season.
"I’m just concentrating on this year, to be honest with you," Mason said. "This season is very important to me and this team. I’m not going to look past this season. I’m going to enjoy every day I’m out here.
"I’m going to enjoy each game that we have, preseason and regular season. I’m going to worry about next year when next year comes. I’ve got too many problems today to worry about tomorrow."
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
