C: It’s Chuck Johnson and I’m hear with standout free safety Mason Blaylock. It’s been a long time since we’ve had the opportunity to catch up Mason.
M: It really has Chuck. Things have been absolutely crazy for me lately. I can’t think of the last time I had a night just to sit at home and do nothing.
C: What has been keeping you so busy?
M: Well as you probably know I got named defensive team captain of the Luchadores and my boy Randy was named offensive team captain. I know we both took that in the highest regard and have been doing everything we can to help the team out. There is a funny backstory about how it all went down, but you should ask the prankster Vuxta himself on that. I’ve spent a lot of time scouting this large upcoming class in hopes of helping Tijuana winning yet another Ultimini. This might be one of the most promising classes the league has ever seen, so it will be critical for us to get it right. Something that I don’t think a lot of people know, though, was I also became part of the NOLA war room. It has been an amazing honor for me. I have learned so much from that experience so far and I think it is going to really take me places down the road.
C: Wow, those are big honors! Let’s go back to Tijuana for a second. Your Luchadores made in to the Ultimini this season. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite play out how you wanted them to. Walk us through that.
M: Yeah, I’m still at a loss for words on that. First thing I want to do is tip my cap to the Grey Ducks and their coaching staff. They did an amazing job slowing our offense down and taking us out of rhythm. When you look back at it, there are so many plays where if just one of them went differently I think we win. Such is life though. You wake up every morning and use it as your fuel to get better.
C: Even so, it was a very successful season for your team and especially you. You broke what, 3 or 4 team records?
M: It was a great season for sure. Oh man, I’m honestly not sure. I know a few of my teammates have told me, but I really can’t remember now. I think a couple punt return records and my pick in the Ultimini? I don’t pay too close attention to it. My goal is to get the win every time and sometimes things go really well for me.
C: Modest as always. Sometimes I feel like I am your hype man. So, what can we expect from you this coming season?
M: Well for one, you will see me in my Second Line uniform officially for the first time. I haven’t really touched that jersey since draft night, so I am stoked to put it back on again. I’m trying to dampen expectations this season. I don’t think I will be putting up any records my first couple seasons in the NSFL. I’m really just looking to do my job to the best of my ability. Whether that is playing nickel corner or being a gunner on punts, I will do whatever it takes to get on the field and help my team win.
C: Last question before we wrap things up. Do you have any advice to your teammates who just got drafted or to the incoming class?
M: Never stop working and don’t be afraid to reach out. When I first came into the league, it was all overwhelming. I remember trying to find my way to the practice facility and I got lost. There were so many people who have helped me out. I still feel like I’m at just the beginning of my career, but it took a lot of work just to get to this point. There are going to be days where you don’t feel like you can keep going or it is going to be a losing season so why bother. But you have to overcome those thoughts. Someone out there is always working their ass off, so you better be willing to work even harder.
C: Great advice. It was great catching up with you Mason. Let’s try to do it more than once a season next time.
M: You’re always right Chuck. I’ll pencil you in for mid-season.
C: I’ll take it! This has been Chuck Johnson, until next time folks!
M: It really has Chuck. Things have been absolutely crazy for me lately. I can’t think of the last time I had a night just to sit at home and do nothing.
C: What has been keeping you so busy?
M: Well as you probably know I got named defensive team captain of the Luchadores and my boy Randy was named offensive team captain. I know we both took that in the highest regard and have been doing everything we can to help the team out. There is a funny backstory about how it all went down, but you should ask the prankster Vuxta himself on that. I’ve spent a lot of time scouting this large upcoming class in hopes of helping Tijuana winning yet another Ultimini. This might be one of the most promising classes the league has ever seen, so it will be critical for us to get it right. Something that I don’t think a lot of people know, though, was I also became part of the NOLA war room. It has been an amazing honor for me. I have learned so much from that experience so far and I think it is going to really take me places down the road.
C: Wow, those are big honors! Let’s go back to Tijuana for a second. Your Luchadores made in to the Ultimini this season. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite play out how you wanted them to. Walk us through that.
M: Yeah, I’m still at a loss for words on that. First thing I want to do is tip my cap to the Grey Ducks and their coaching staff. They did an amazing job slowing our offense down and taking us out of rhythm. When you look back at it, there are so many plays where if just one of them went differently I think we win. Such is life though. You wake up every morning and use it as your fuel to get better.
C: Even so, it was a very successful season for your team and especially you. You broke what, 3 or 4 team records?
M: It was a great season for sure. Oh man, I’m honestly not sure. I know a few of my teammates have told me, but I really can’t remember now. I think a couple punt return records and my pick in the Ultimini? I don’t pay too close attention to it. My goal is to get the win every time and sometimes things go really well for me.
C: Modest as always. Sometimes I feel like I am your hype man. So, what can we expect from you this coming season?
M: Well for one, you will see me in my Second Line uniform officially for the first time. I haven’t really touched that jersey since draft night, so I am stoked to put it back on again. I’m trying to dampen expectations this season. I don’t think I will be putting up any records my first couple seasons in the NSFL. I’m really just looking to do my job to the best of my ability. Whether that is playing nickel corner or being a gunner on punts, I will do whatever it takes to get on the field and help my team win.
C: Last question before we wrap things up. Do you have any advice to your teammates who just got drafted or to the incoming class?
M: Never stop working and don’t be afraid to reach out. When I first came into the league, it was all overwhelming. I remember trying to find my way to the practice facility and I got lost. There were so many people who have helped me out. I still feel like I’m at just the beginning of my career, but it took a lot of work just to get to this point. There are going to be days where you don’t feel like you can keep going or it is going to be a losing season so why bother. But you have to overcome those thoughts. Someone out there is always working their ass off, so you better be willing to work even harder.
C: Great advice. It was great catching up with you Mason. Let’s try to do it more than once a season next time.
M: You’re always right Chuck. I’ll pencil you in for mid-season.
C: I’ll take it! This has been Chuck Johnson, until next time folks!