Wide receiver Derrick Mason will play for the Ravens in 2009. The Ravens received notice Saturday that the 12-year veteran reconsidered his surprise retirement announcement this week.
“It was a tough decision, but I think it was a good decision for me to come back,” Mason said. “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 came to the team’s training camp hotel in Westminster, Md., to meet with general manager Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh. He also called Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti earlier today to inform him of his decision. Mason is sending a letter to the NFL stating his intentions. He will take a physical either later this afternoon or early tomorrow morning. The Ravens anticipate that Mason will be on the field sometime Sunday, although like all Ravens, he will have to pass a running test.
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