Elite, veteran receiver who is the heartbeat of the Ravens’ offense
Mason is the 3rd-leading WR in receptions (448) in the NFL over the last 5 years (Torry Holt – 499 and Chad Johnson – 462)
Mason enters 2008 with 710 career receptions for 9,024 yards and 47 TDs
Led the Ravens in every receiving category by setting a Ravens’ franchise record and career high with 103 receptions (3rd in the NFL) - 1st player in Ravens history with 100 receptions - for 1,087 yards (10.6 avg.) and 5 TDs in 2007
Mason hauled in his 700th-career reception in game 15 at Sea. (12/23/07)
Led the NFL with 30 receptions for 349 yards and 2 TDs on 3rd down in 2005
Mason finished his Titans career as the 4th-leading receiver in the team’s history (453 receptions) and set career highs in receptions for 2 consecutive years (95 in ‘03 and 96 in ‘04)
With his 11,202 career all-purpose yards, only Eddie George has more combined yards in Titans history than Mason
In 2000, his 895 receiving yards, 662 punt return yards, 1,132 kickoff return yards and 1 rushing yard resulted in an NFL single-season record of 2,690 combined net yards, which topped the old mark of 2,535 by San Diego’s Lionel James in 1985
His 51 punt returns for 662 yards set Titans’ records and helped him earn his 1st Pro Bowl (2000) appearance as a RS
He followed with a 2,004-yard performance in 2001 to become the 1st player in Titans history and 9th NFL player since 1990 to record back-to-back seasons with more than 2,000 combined net yards
Signed with the Ravens as an unrestricted free agent on 3/7/05
Originally drafted by the Tennessee Oilers in the 4th round (98th overall) of the 1997 draft
2008: (with Baltimore) Game 8 at Cle. (11/2) Led the Ravens with 9 receptions (all 9 of Mason’s catches good for 1st downs tying a career high) for a season high 136 yards and a TD (28 yards)
Game 7 vs. Oak. (10/26) Started and had 1 reception for 3 yards in the 29-10 victory against the Raiders
Game 6 at Mia. (10/19) Started and led the team with 6 receptions for 87 yards (14.5 avg.) and hauled in his 1st TD of the season
Game 5 at Ind. (10/12) Hauled in 6 receptions for 70 yards, including a Ravens’ season long 54 yard catch and run against the Colts
Game 4 vs. Ten. (10/5) Hauled in a team leading 5 receptions for 38 yards against his former team
Game 3 at Pit. (9/29) Led the Ravens with 8 receptions for 137 yards (17.1 avg.), with a long of 35 against Pittsburgh
It marked Mason’s highest yardage output since 12/14/03 (9 receptions for 137 yards vs. Buf.)
Game 2 vs. Cle. (9/21) Started and led the Ravens with 4 receptions for 42 yards in the 28-10 victory
Game 1 vs. Cin. (9/7) Led the team with 4 receptions for 44 yards, with a long of 15
2007: (with Baltimore) Led the Ravens in every receiving category by setting a Ravens’ franchise record and career high with 103 receptions (3rd in the NFL) - 1st player in Ravens history with 100 receptions - for 1,087 yards (10.6 avg.) and 5 TDs
Also finished 2nd on the team with 60 1st-down conversions, including a team-leading 24 on 3rd down and 5 on 4th down
2007 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Started and led the team with 6 receptions for 72 yards (12.0 avg), becoming the 1st player in Ravens history to record 100 receptions, in the 27-21 win in the season finale vs. Pit. (12/30)
Started and led the team with 5 receptions for 98 yards, including a career-long 79-yard TD reception in game 15 at Sea. (12/23)
With his 1st catch against the Seahawks, Mason pulled in his 700th-career reception
Started and tied for the team lead (Devard Darling) with 4 receptions for 45 yards and a 17-yard TD in game 14 at Mia. (12/16)
Started and had 3 receptions for 30 yards, breaking the Ravens’ single-season franchise record with his 87th reception in the 3rd quarter in game 13 vs. Ind. (12/9) (Mason owned previous best, 86 in ‘05)
Paced the team with 6 receptions for 67 yards and a TD in game 12 vs. NE (12/3)
Led the team with a season-high 11 receptions (2nd-highest total of his career) for 85 yards, including 5 good for 1st downs in game 5 at SF (10/7)
Paced the team with 10 receptions for 78 yards, with 7 good for 1st downs, including 2 on 3rd, and 1 on 4th down in game 4 at Cle. (9/30)
Started and led the team with 8 receptions for 79 yards (5 good for 1st downs - all on 3rd down) and 1 TD in the 26-23 victory in game 3 vs. Ari. (9/23).
2006: (with Baltimore) Played in all 16 games, starting 15, finishing 2nd on the team with 68 receptions for 750 yards and 2 TDs
Mason converted 45 receptions into 1st downs (2nd on the team), including 20 on 3rd down and 2 on 4th
Led the team in receptions in 7 games
2006 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Started and tied for the team lead with 5 receptions for 30 yards, including pulling in the pass that gave QB Steve McNair 30,000 passing yards for his career in the 19-7 win in the season finale vs. Buf. (12/31)
Three of Mason’s 5 receptions went for 1st downs against the Bills
Started and hauled in 2 catches for 20 yards, the 2nd of which gave him 600-career receptions, in the 27-17 win in game 14 vs. Cle. (12/17)
Started and hauled in 5 receptions for 43 yards, with 4 good for 1st downs (2 on 3rd down) in the 27-0 win in game 11 vs. Pit. (11/26)
Started his 100th-career game and hauled in 3 receptions for 28 yards (1 good for a 1st down) in the 24-10 win in game 10 vs. Atl. (11/19)
Subbed (Ravens started the game in a 2-TE set) and led the Ravens with a season-high 8 receptions for 64 yards and the game-winning 11-yard TD reception in the 27-26 victory in game 9 at Ten. (11/12)
Finished 2nd on the team with 7 receptions for a team-leading 132 yards (his 15th 100-yard receiving game), including a long of 38 in the 15-14 victory in game 3 at Cle. (9/24)
Five of Mason's 7 receptions were good for 1st downs
He also tallied the Ravens' 2 longest plays from scrimmage (37 and 38 yards) against the Browns
2005: (with Baltimore) Started all 16 games in his 1st year with the Ravens, finishing the season 3rd in the AFC and tied for 7th in the NFL while setting then-Ravens’ franchise season record with 86 receptions – former record was 76 by Michael Jackson in 1996
Mason also became just the 4th player in Ravens history to post a 1,000-yard receiving season, with 1,073 yards (3rd-highest total in franchise history), marking the 1st 1,000-yard receiver since Qadry Ismail produced 1,059 in 2001
Mason also led the NFL with 30 receptions for 349 yards (11.6 avg.) and 2 TDs on 3rd down
2005 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Earned a game ball when he led the team with a season-high 9 receptions for a season-high 103 yards and 1 TD in game 15 vs. Min. (12/25)
Seven of Mason’s receptions were good for 1st downs against the Vikings
Pulled in 5 receptions for 97 yards (19.4 avg.), including receptions of 22, 27 and 34 in the 48-3 victory in game 14 vs. GB (12/19)
Led the team with 5 receptions for 60 yards (2 good for 1st downs) in game 8 vs. Cin. (11/6)
With his 3rd reception (in the 3rd quarter), Mason pulled in his 500th-career reception
Led the Ravens with 8 receptions for 85 yards (10.6 yards per catch, with 4 good for 1st downs) in game 5 vs. Cle. (10/16)
With his 8 receptions against the Browns, Mason grabbed his 35th reception of the season, tying the Ravens’ leading receiver in 2004 (WR Kevin Johnson)
Started his 1st game as a Raven and tied for the team lead (TE Daniel Wilcox) with 8 receptions for 88 yards (12.4 avg.) in game 1 vs. Ind. (9/11)
Six of Mason’s 8 receptions were good for 1st downs en route to producing the best 1st game by a Ravens’ WR in team history.
2004: (with Tennessee) Started all 16 games for the 2nd consecutive year
Led all NFL WRs (2nd in the NFL – Tony Gonzalez, 102) with 96 receptions
Also led the Titans in receiving for the 4th-consecutive season
In 16 starts, he ranked 2nd in the NFL with 96 receptions for 1,168 yards (12.2 avg.) and 7 TDs, including 2 100-yard performances
His 96 receptions eclipsed his 2003 total of 95 receptions for the 3rd-best single-season total in Titans history
2004 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Started at WR and recorded 9 receptions for 121 yards (long of 32) and 1 TD in game 14 at Oak. (12/19)
Scored on 3-yard pass from Billy Volek in 4th quarter
Also recorded 32-yard reception in 2nd quarter to set up Ben Troupe’s 7-yard score on the next play
Game was 13th of career with 100 or more receiving yards
Became the 1st player in Titans history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in 4 consecutive seasons
Started and led team with 7 receptions for 91 yards and 1 TD in game 9 vs. Chi. (11/14)
Caught a 29-yard TD pass from Volek to provide 7-0 lead in the first quarter
Also returned 3 punts 9 yards (long of 13)
Started and tied a career high with team-high 12 receptions for 94 yards and 1 TD in game 4 at SD (10/3)
Scored on 4-yard pass from Volek in 2nd quarter to tie game at 7-7
Started at WR and led team with 8 receptions for 104 yards (long of 33) in game 2 vs. Ind. (9/19)
Game was 12th of career with 100 or more receiving yards.
2003: (with Tennessee) Selected to his 2nd Pro Bowl after tying for 2nd in the AFC (5th in the NFL) with 95 receptions, which set a then-career high
His 1,303 receiving yards were 2nd in the conference (5th in NFL)
Started every game and led club in receptions in 10 contests
Became the 1st player in franchise history to post 1,000 yards in 3 consecutive seasons and 2nd player in team history (Haywood Jeffires, 1990-92) to record 70 or more receptions in 3 consecutive seasons
Scored 8 TDs, the 2nd-highest total of his career
Led all AFC receivers (3rd in the NFL) with 69 1st downs and also led conference (2nd in the NFL) with 35 receptions on 3rd down
In 2 playoff contests, totaled 10 receptions for 118 yards and 1 TD and averaged 11.7 yards on 6 PRs
Became the 1st WR in franchise history to post 10 or more receptions in consecutive games after 10-catch outputs against Oak. (9/7) and at Ind. (9/14)
2003 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Led the team with 7 receptions for 90 yards and 1 TD in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at NE (1/10/04)
Set a career high with 302 all-purpose yards in game 14 vs. Buf. (12/14), including 9 receptions for 137 yards, 5 PRs for 59 yards and 5 KORs for 106 yards
Tied Billy "White Shoes" Johnson for most PRs in franchise history (155)
Led the team with a season-high 11 receptions for 133 yards and 1 TD on Monday Night Football in game 12 at NYJ (12/1)
Surpassed Earl Campbell (9,292 yards) for 2nd place on the team’s all-time combined yardage list
The game was the 5th of his career with 10 or more receptions and 10th with 100 or more yards
Set a career high with 3 TDs on 6 receptions in game 6 vs. Hou. (10/12)
Set season high with 177 yards, the 2nd-highest total of career
With his scores, he became the 1st player in team history since Haywood Jeffires (11/14/93) to score 3 receiving TDs in a game
2002: (with Tennessee) Started 14 games, missing 2 due to a shoulder injury
Led team in receptions (79), receiving yards (1,012), TD receptions (5) and 100-yard games (3) for 2nd-consecutive season and became the 5th WR in franchise history to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons
2002 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Set a season and tied career high with 12 receptions for 116 yards and 1 TD to help Titans win a thrilling overtime 32-29 victory in game 12 at NY Giants (12/1)
Eight of his 12 catches resulted in 1st downs in the contest
Had 7 receptions for 98 yards and 2 TDs in game 7 at Cin. (10/27)
Recorded his 2nd-consecutive 100-yard receiving game in game 2 at Dal. (9/15)
Pulled in a team-high 7 receptions for 109 yards in the season opener vs. Phi. (9/8)
2001: (with Tennessee) Started and played in 15 games, missing game vs. TB (10/14) due to left ankle injury
Saw limited action at Jax. (9/23) and at Bal. (10/7) due to ankle and right shoulder injuries, but still managed to lead the team in every receiving category with then-career highs in receptions (73) and receiving yards (1,128)
His 9 TDs in 2001 stand as his career high
Became 1st player in Titans history to record 2,000 all-purpose yards in consecutive seasons (2,004 in 2001; 2,690 in 2000) and 2 2,000 all-purpose-yard seasons in a career
Became the 1st WR to lead the team in receptions since 1995 (Haywood Jeffires, 61)
Recorded a career-high 4 100-yard receiving games, including a career-high and team season-high 186 yards, which ranked 9th on team’s all-time list
Led the team in receptions in 5 games and tied for team lead (RB Eddie George and TE Frank Wycheck) in 1 other
2001 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Eclipsed 1,000-yard mark for the 1st time in his career and 1st time for the franchise since 1991 (WR Haywood Jeffires) when he set a career mark with 186 receiving yards and 2 TDs on a team-high 9 receptions in the season finale vs. Cin. (1/6/02)
His 186-yard performance ranked 9th in franchise history for receiving yards in a regular season game
Led the team in receptions for the 2nd consecutive week, catching 8 passes for team-high 107 yards in game 13 vs. GB (12/16)
Recorded his 2nd-consecutive 100-yard performance and the 3rd of his career when he caught 3 passes for 122 yards and 2 TDs, including a then-career-long 71 yards en route to 31-15 victory in game 11 at Cle. (12/2)
It was the 2nd-consecutive week in which he set a career high in receiving yards
Joined fellow WR Kevin Dyson (110 yards on 6 receptions) to become team’s 1st receiver tandem to post back-to-back 100-yard receiving games since 1961 (Charlie Groman and Charles Hennigan)
Posted his 1st 100-yard receiving game of the season when he collected 114 yards on 7 receptions in game 10 vs. Pit. (11/25)
With Kevin Dyson (112 yards on 4 receptions), became the Titans 1st pair of WRs to record 100 yards in same game since Ernest Givens (118 yards on 5 receptions) and Drew Hill (100 yards on 5 receptions) accomplished same feat vs. Phx. (11/20/88)
Returned opening KO 101 yards to give team 7-0 lead en route to 20-7 victory in game 9 at Cin. (11/18)
It marked his 1st KOR for a TD in a regular season and 3rd-longest in team history
It was team’s 1st KOR for a TD since Lorenzo White vs. Pit. (12/4/88) and marked longest KOR since Bob Gresham returned a KO 103 yards on game’s opening kickoff at Cin. (9/23/73)
Mason also led squad in receiving yards (62) and tied for team-lead in receptions (4)
Accounted for 209 all-purpose yards in a game
2000: (with Tennessee) Earned his 1st trip to the Pro Bowl as KR after receiving unanimous selection
Named to numerous All-Pro teams, including AP, Dr. Z of Sports Illustrated, Pro Football Weekly and College & Pro Football Newsweekly
Set an NFL single-season record with 2,690 all-purpose yards (895 receiving yards, 662 PR yards, 1,132 KO yards, 1 rushing yard) in a single season, bettering the old mark of 2,535 all purpose yards (Lionel James, San Diego, 1985)
Became only the 2nd player in Titans history to eclipse 2,000 all purpose yards in single season (Billy Cannon, 2,043, 1961)
Led the NFL in PR yards (662), 1st in the AFC and 2nd in the NFL (MarTay Jenkins, Ari., 27.7) in average KOR yards (27.0) and 3rd in the AFC in KOR yards (1,132 yards)
Led the team in receptions in 6 games and receiving yards in 7 game
2000 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Started at WR and caught 7 passes for 88 yards, returned 4 KOs for 55 yards and 2 punts for 5 yards in the 24-10 loss to Bal. in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game (1/7/01)
Established a new club record for all-purpose yards in a season on 23-yard reception in 2nd quarter in game 12 at Jax. (11/26), which put his season total at 2,044, breaking a team record set in 1961
Finished game with 2 receptions for 33 yards, 61 KOR yards on 4 returns and 46 PR yards on 2 returns in 16-13 loss to the Jaguars
Started on Monday Night Football in game 8 at Was. (10/30), and recorded a new career high with a 69-yard PR for a TD in the 2nd quarter
The TD on the PR was his 1st of career
Averaged 26.3 yards on KORs in the 27-21 win over the Redskins
Was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month of October
Enjoyed 1 of his finest games as a pro in 23-20 win in game 3 at Pit. (9/24), posting a team-high 5 receptions for 71 yards, totaling 102 KOR yards on 4 returns, including a long of 46 yards, and 70 PR yards on 5 returns for a total of 246 all-purpose yards.
1999: (with Tennessee) Saw action in 13 games and all 4 playoff games, establishing himself as a clutch KO and punt returner during the postseason
Handled KO and PR duties during the season, returning 41 KOs for 19.6-yard average and 26 punts for 8.7-yard average and 1 TD
1999 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Had 5 KORs for 122 yards, including a 35-yard return, in Super Bowl XXXIV vs. STL (1/30/00)
Set an AFC Championship Game record with 174 KOR yards in the AFC Championship Game at Jax. (1/23/00)
Selected NFL Special Teams Player of the Week for the championship weekend
Returned a free kick after a safety 80 yards for a TD in the win over the Jaguars
Broke the game wide open with a 65-yard PR for a TD in the 3rd quarter in game 11 at Cle. (11/28), earning AFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
1998: (with Tennessee Oilers) Saw action in all 16 games, recording 25 catches for 333 yards and 3 TDs
Also returned 31 punts for 228 yards, averaging 7.4 yards per return
1998 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Hauled in 3 passes for 75 yards in the season finale against Min. (12/26), including then-career-best 47-yarder
Snagged 4 passes for 53 yards and 2 TDs in game 15 at GB (12/20), including a 25-yard TD pass in the 2nd quarter and a 3-yarder with 53 seconds left
Caught 2 passes for 28 yards in game 7 vs. Chicago (10/25), including his 1st-career TD grab on a 13-yarder from McNair.
1997: (with Tennessee Oilers) Played in 16 games as a rookie, including 2 starts
Recorded 14 catches for 186 yards and led the team in KORs, averaging 21.2 yards (26 for 551 yards) and averaged 7.3 yards per PR (13 for 95 yards)
1997 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Led the team with 3 receptions for 47 yards in the season finale vs. Pit. (12/21)
Had a season-long 54-yard KOR in game 3 vs. Bal. (9/21)
Recorded his 1st-career reception, an 11-yarder in the season opener vs. Oak. (8/31)
Finished his 4-year career at Michigan State as the team and Big Ten Conference career-record holder for KOR yards with 2,384 (99 returns, 24.1 avg., 2 TDs), adding 191 yards and 1 score on 7 returns in a pair of bowl games
Also set school record with 620 yards on PRs (61 for 10.2 avg., 2 TDs), which included 4 returns for 45 yards in bowl action
Ranked 2nd in Spartan annals with 5,114 all-purpose yards, topped only by RB Lorenzo White (5,152, 1984-87), 4th on the school’s all-time reception list (120) and 6th in yards (1,914), including bowl totals
Caught 8 career TD receptions
Majored in communications
Earned 1st-team All-Public School League, All-State and Blue Chip list honors from Detroit News as senior at Mumford (Detroit, MI) HS, where he set a school record for both catches (70) and receiving yards (1,243)
Also chosen to play in Michigan HS All-Star game that season
Would like to get into sports broadcasting after playing career
Mason served as the Titans’ player representative to the NFLPA in 2003
In 2003, Mason began hosting "The Derrick Mason Show" weekly on a Nashville radio station
Among his most cherished items in his sports memorabilia collection is a pair of Muhammad Ali boxing gloves, which he purchased at an auction for his son, Derrick II
"Receiving on the Field, Giving in the Community" serves as the slogan for The Derrick Mason Foundation, which was originally launched to help at-risk children and battered women in the greater Nashville area
His wife, Marci, who is also interested in broadcasting, acts as the organization’s vice president
She also hosts a radio show on Wednesday each week
During every game week, Mason selects Bible verses and writes them on his game shoes for inspiration
Mason helped raise money in 2003 for youth football leagues around middle Tennessee and southern Kentucky in his role as honorary spokesperson for the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl presented by Bridgestone Youth Football League
In July 2005, posed with rescued pets for the Friends of the Baltimore Animal Shelter (FOBAS) 2006 calendar
Also took part in the Ravens’ annual Goodwill Gridiron Halloween party benefiting Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake in Oct. 2006 and helped build a house with Sandtown Habitat for Humanity in Sep. 2006
Derrick joined teammates in the Ravens’annual ACT Auction Party for players with charitable foundations (2005-07)
Partnered with CB Samari Rolle and QB Kyle Boller to host their annual Holiday Helpers event at area Target stores
In conjunction with their foundations, the players donated $10,000 in 2005 and $15,000 in 2006 and ‘07 to provided 100 children with $150 gift certificates to Target
During the event, he served as a personal shopper helping youth choose gifts for the holiday season
Derrick also participated in “Sundaes with the Ravens,” meeting and making ice cream sundaes with youth at the Ravens’ practice facility to celebrate the holiday season in Dec. 2007
Mason was named the Ravens Player of the Year by Smyth Jewelers in Feb. 2008
In 2008, Mason donated $25,000 to rebuilding together Baltimore, to renovate homes of families in need in Turners Station in Baltimore County
In April, 2008, he joined volunteers to do landscaping work and fix homes in the area
Derrick and his wife, Marci (married on 6/7/97), have 2 children: daughter, Bailee My-Lin (3/24/99), and son, Derrick II (7/11/03)
