Quick Facts
Biography
Thomas Cyril "Tommy" Mason (July 8, 1939 – January 22, 2015) was an American football running back in the National Football League.
College career
Mason played college football for Tulane University.
- 1959: 10 Games – 81 carries for 336 yards. 5 catches for 54 yards and 2 TD.
- 1960: 10 Games – 120 carries for 663 yards. 28 catches for 376 yards and 5 TD.
- Profile, sports-reference.com; accessed January 26, 2015.
Professional career
Mason was selected first overall by the expansion Minnesota Vikings in the 1961 NFL Draft. In six seasons with the Vikings, he rushed for 3,252 yards and scored 28 touchdowns. In 1967, he was signed by the Los Angeles Rams. He played with the Rams for four years, but accumulated only four touchdowns and less than 900 yards. He finished his career with the Washington Redskins in 1971 before retiring.
Records
Mason ranks seventh in total rushing yards and sixth in rushing touchdowns for the Vikings.
Personal
Mason married gymnast Cathy Rigby in 1972. They were divorced in 1981. Mason married Louise England in 1987, they divorced in 1994.
He married Karen Kay Mason, in 1999. He died in hospice care at Newport Beach, California on January 22, 2015.