Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1961 to 1971), he played at the running back position in the National League with the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins. Born Thomas Cyril Mason, he attended Lake Charles High School in Louisiana and played collegiate football at Tulane University. While with the Green Wave, Mason distinguished himself as he earned All-American and Southeastern Conference honors in 1960. Mason was so highly-regarded that he became the number one overall selection (by Minnesota) in the 1961 NFL Draft. Additionally, he earned the cover of Sports Illustrated that year. He had the distinction of being on the Vikings' inaugural season roster (1961) and under the guidance of coach Norm Van Brocklin, during his years with Minnesota, Mason was part of a formidable ground attack which included fullback Bill Brown. Individually, Mason achieved Pro-Bowl honors three-times (1962 to 1964) and First-Team All-Pro status in 1963. He totaled 124 career regular season NFL games. After retiring from football, he worked as a distributor for the Coors Brewing Company. He was formerly married to gymnast-turned-actress Cathy Rigby. Mason was inducted into the Tulane University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.
Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1961 to 1971), he played at the running back position in the National League with the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Redskins. Born Thomas Cyril Mason, he attended Lake Charles High School in Louisiana and played collegiate football at Tulane University. While with the Green Wave, Mason distinguished himself as he earned All-American and Southeastern Conference honors in 1960. Mason was so highly-regarded that he became the number one overall selection (by Minnesota) in the 1961 NFL Draft. Additionally, he earned the cover of Sports Illustrated that year. He had the distinction of being on the Vikings' inaugural season roster (1961) and under the guidance of coach Norm Van Brocklin, during his years with Minnesota, Mason was part of a formidable ground attack which included fullback Bill Brown. Individually, Mason achieved Pro-Bowl honors three-times (1962 to 1964) and First-Team All-Pro status in 1963. He totaled 124 career regular season NFL games. After retiring from football, he worked as a distributor for the Coors Brewing Company. He was formerly married to gymnast-turned-actress Cathy Rigby. Mason was inducted into the Tulane University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978.
Bio by: C.S.
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