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Rampage sign Mason to bolster secondary

March 24, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Grand Rapids Rampage News Release


The Grand Rapids Rampage have signed the AFL's second all-time leading tackler and forced fumble leader Damon Mason to help the team's struggling secondary, which enters this week with a league-low six takeaways.

The three-time All-Arena selection in his eighth AFL season has three of the top five AFL single-season tackle marks in league history. Prior to being released by the Predators, Mason was leading the team in tackles (49.5) and two interceptions, which ranks him fifth in the league. Already earning the ADT Defensive Player of the Game three times and AFL ADT Defensive Player of the Week once this season, Mason stands to complete the struggling Rampage secondary with his experience and athleticism.

In 2004, Mason split time with the Carolina Cobras where he led the team with 61 tackles and two interceptions before being waived for salary cap reasons after playing ten games. The Predators picked him up for the remainder of the season and he went on to add 32 tackles and one interception.

With the Gladiators in 2003, Mason ranked among league leaders in tackles (12th) with 67.5 total stops. Selected 2nd team All-Arena in 2002, Mason helped the New Jersey Gladiators to a 9-5 record, divisional championship and a quarterfinal playoff berth with 50 tackles and four interceptions. In his second season as a 2nd team All-Arena selection, as he led the Predators in tackles with 101 total stops and four interceptions. Rounding out 2000, Mason set a then league record in tackles with 108 while adding seven interceptions and nine forced fumbles before earning his first 2nd team All-Arena nod along with an ArenaBowl Championship.

In 1999, his second AFL season, Mason recorded 103 tackles which led the AFL along with 19 passes defended and two interceptions. During his rookie campaign in 1998, he led the team with 71.5 total tackles, adding 8 pass defenses and one interception.

In college, this Ragin' Cajun played 3 seasons at Southwest Louisiana (1994-96), where he still remains in the record books for single game, single season and career tackles. He led the team in tackles for two seasons, including a career high 135 tackles with 10 pass defenses, 13 tackles-for-loss and four interceptions.

AFL CAREER TACKLE LEADERS

1. Barry Wagner, San Jose 689.0

2. Damon Mason, Grand Rapids 649.5

3. Darryl Hammond, Nashville 606.5

4. Cedric Walker, Austin 581.0

5. Cecil Doggette, Grand Rapids 500.0



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from March 24, 2005


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