The End of an Era: Mason Kinsey bids farewell to Titans fans in statement with no Simpsons meme in sight
After repeatedly finding his way back to Tennessee, the Division III success story delivered an emotional goodbye following more than six years in Nashville.
Tennessee Titans roster cut day carried a different weight on Sunday when wide receiver and special teamer Mason Kinsey posted an emotional goodbye on Instagram, signaling the end of his six-and-a-half-year run in Nashville.
The Titans waived the fan favorite DIII product from Berry College, and this time, his famous Simpsons meme didn’t make an appearance.
No Moe throwing Barney this time
Titans roster cut day usually has a regular theme. At least it has for the last six years, where Kinsey has created a following unique to most guys who only play a handful of games over their career with one franchise. Normally this is a roster cut day where Kinsey tweets out the Simpsons meme of Moe throwing Barney out of the bar. Then the next day he posts himself walking back in. That’s been the norm.
But Sunday, Kinsey posted this on Instagram without the famous Moe and Barney Simpsons meme, but with the famous song “Linger” by The Cranberries:
“As I write this, I can’t help but be overwhelmed with gratitude to the Titans organization. You brought in a 21-year-old kid from Barry College and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime. I’ve spent the last 6 and a half years in Nashville. This place has become my home. The people have become my family. What started out as a wide-eyed kid trying to figure life out, has turned into a man leaving this place with nothing but love. I’ve made some of my best friends here, met my wife here, and started a life I never would have imagined. To the fans, I gave it everything I had. I’m forever grateful for the support and love y’all showed me. One thing is for certain, I AM FOREVER A TENNESSEE TITAN. Titan Up, 12 out.”
Sounds like Kinsey’s done.
What it means for the Titans receiver room
The question heading into roster cuts was whether Kinsey would stick around on the practice squad this year, or if Tennessee would move on with somebody else to fill that role. It appears the Titans have their answer.
The situation got more clarity earlier on Sunday when the Titans waived Bryce Oliver, who I had expected to be on the 53-man roster as a special teams gunner and contributor. Oliver’s departure opens the door for Xavier Restrepo to potentially make the team as a sixth receiver. As of publishing, we have yet to hear if Restrepo is officially on the roster.
So could UDFA Hank Beatty from Illinois be the practice squad replacement for Kinsey? I kind of feel like it could be. Justin Melo reported that Beatty was also waived by the Titans. He did have a good training camp as a receiver and return man with growing talent on special teams. We’ll see how that plays out if he clears waivers.
The comments tell you everything about what Kinsey meant
I think it’s pretty easy to see what Mason Kinsey meant to this team when you scroll through the comments on his Instagram post. Within 15 minutes of it going live, the current and former teammates pouring says it all.
Rookie Carnell Tate, who’s only been in Nashville for a few months, commented. DeAndre Hopkins called him a “legend.” Current Titans receiver Calvin Ridley, offensive linemen JC Latham and Peter Skoronski, and tight end Gunnar Helm were among the early comments wishing Kinsey the absolute best. Current defensive back Micah Robinson and former Titans tight end Thomas Odukoya chimed in.
Mason Kinsey out. Heck of a career earned from DIII Berry College. He lived out his American dream in Nashville and became a fan favorite along the way. I’m sure he’ll do great things, and Nashville will always be part of his story.
