Rourke returns to the BC Lions ready to have fun and win

The time had come for Nathan Rourke to return to the Canadian Football League.

After spending more than 18 months playing for four NFL teams, the 26-year-old from Victoria decided he wanted to return to play for the BC Lions.

“I think at the end of the day, I wanted to be in a situation where I felt like I could move up,” Rourke said Wednesday after his first practice with the Lions.

Rourke signed a three-year contract with BC on Tuesday after being released by the Atlanta Falcons over the weekend.

“I thought it was a little bit of a tough situation,” said Rourke, who was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian for the 2022 season. “I felt like going to another team would be a difficult task and maybe not the best use of my time.

“The suddenness of it all made me feel like I might as well start exploring other options if the NFL didn’t work out.”

While the journey didn’t end the way Rourke hoped, he doesn’t regret his decision to try the NFL path.

“There were certainly moments of frustration, but I don’t think the overall experience was negative,” he said.

“I’ve been frustrated for the past year and a half. I’ve had to constantly remind myself that it’s not the game’s fault, it’s the situation’s fault. I still love the game. It’s a lot more fun when you can participate in it.”

One lesson Rourke learned is that the NFL’s luster from the outside can quickly fade.

“It’s not as glamorous as you might think,” he said. “It’s football, a lot more money, a lot more business. It’s not as formal as you might think. I’m happy to be back.”

BC head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell was impressed with Rourke’s appearance during practice and how quickly he returned to offensive coordinator Jordan Maksymic’s offense.

Campbell expects Rourke to start Sunday when the Lions host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BC Place Stadium.

“Everything points to yes,” Campbell said. “The only reason I can’t say 100 percent yes is the kid has been through a whirlwind. He and Jordan are just making sure we’re all on the same page and he’s comfortable. So far, so good.”

Rourke’s return comes at a critical time. The Lions started the season with a 5-1 record, but have lost their last three games.

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who was enjoying an MVP-worthy year by throwing for 2,469 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, missed BC’s 33-16 loss to Edmonton last weekend. He is listed as week-to-week with a knee injury.

Rourke denied any friction with Adams.

“I have the utmost respect for VA,” Rourke said. “He’s a total professional. He’s the type of leader and the type of person I aspire to be in the locker room.”

Rourke’s return is already having an impact. Ticket sales for Sunday’s game soared. A crowd of about 50 people gathered to watch the Lions practice, and one of them held a sign that read, “Welcome back, Nathan Rourke.”

One betting site now has BC as the favorite to win the Grey Cup.

Rourke said he doesn’t feel any added pressure even though Vancouver will host the CFL championship on Nov. 17.

“Being the host city is important to a lot of people, but it wouldn’t be more important to us if we were playing anywhere else in the league,” he said. “We want to win every year.”

Rourke, who played college football at Ohio, played eight games as a backup for the Lions in 2021 and then took over as the starter the following season.

He completed 255 of 325 passes for 3,349 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games. He also rushed for 304 yards and seven touchdowns.

Despite Rourke suffering a foot injury in Week 11, the Lions finished second in the CFL West with a 12-6 record.

Rourke returned to lead the Lions to a victory over the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Conference semi-final, but BC lost to Winnipeg in the Western Conference final.

Rourke signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in January 2023, but never appeared in a regular-season game. After the Jaguars waived him in December 2023, he was signed by the New England Patriots, where he played as a backup for one game.

The Patriots brought back Rourke this year, signing him to a one-year contract in March but releasing him in May. After brief stints with the New York Giants and Falcons, he decided to return home.

Rourke’s signing has caused some dominoes to fall. On Wednesday, the Lions released All-American quarterbacks Jake Dolegala, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 146 yards and no touchdowns in a loss to Edmonton, and Brennan Armstrong. First-year player Chase Brice remains on the roster.

Rourke doubts it will take him long to adjust again to the Canadian game or the Lions’ offense.

“I love the Canadian game,” he said. “It’s fun to be here.”

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