Mason wants to leave his mark

Friday, July 16, 2004

DREW CHAMPLIN
Birmingham News staff writer

MONTGOMERY - Cole Mason likes to be different.

While a few high school athletes may have a single tattoo, usually small in diameter, Mason has six. Four on his legs, and two on his arms.

"I just like them," the fullback/linebacker from Parrish High School said.

"It shows my personality. I've always wanted to have a tattoo and when I got (older), I got some. Then I got some more on my senior trip."

Friends were surprised, but most liked the tattoos. "They were cool with it."

The tattoo-marked Mason has also had to deal with an unexpected injury this summer. At the beginning of June, he was bitten several times by a brown recluse spider while on a fishing trip.

His future at Southern Mississippi, where he'll play college football, and tonight's North-South all-star game were in doubt after the bite.

"I've recovered pretty well from that," Mason said. "I still have a few spots, but they don't really hurt anymore. I have to keep antibiotics in my system, and they'll go away.

"Early on, when I was getting in shape to come down here, it was affecting me a little bit, but once I get loose I don't even notice them."

<a href='http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/1089969317164430.xml' target='_blank'>BIRMINGHAM NEWS: Mason ready to play at USM</a>