Following a rugby league career, it is sometimes difficult to distance yourself from the sport and a number of ex-professionals often stay in the game in some type of capacity.
However, for others, the rugby league field gets well and truly left behind, and for one former St Helens, Huddersfield and Castleford forward, a move into film has been truly fruitful.
The red carpet seems a far cry away from the grasses of Knowsley Road and the Jungle, but Keith Mason’s new career has seen him hit the big time after befriending Hollywood legend Mickey Rourke.
Mason senior, who played for the likes of Wakefield Trinity, St Helens, Huddersfield Giants and Castleford Tigers in Super League, also has teenage son Lukas starting the long road to a professional contract after being handed a scholarship by the Wigan Warriors.
He is not only the former professional rugby league father to have a son heading into the world of the sport, with Leon Pryce in tandem with son Will lighting up the arena for the Huddersfield Giants in the 2021 Super League season.
Mason’s new film, Imperative was released before Christmas and sees the former Super League forward become crime-stopper DCI Sullivan whose wife goes missing.
The police officer then struggles with alcoholism and his inner demons while trying to track down the latest vigilante serial killer to darken the northern English streets.
Mason has previously appeared in the film Skin Traffik alongside Mickey Rourke and Daryl Hannah, and has subsequently appeared in the TV series Peaky Blinders.
But, now he is shooting a new film, labelled Enter the Furnace, though no new information has been released about it.
It’s brilliant to see Mason making superb use of his new career and everyone at Serious About Rugby League wishes him good luck for the future.
Warrington Wolves
Sam Burgess makes decision on future following South Sydney links
Huddersfield Giants
Jake Connor takes swipe at Leeds Rhinos fans
