DUNK DISCUSSES THE FUTURE OF NATHAN ROURKE
By: Stephen Lylyk, RP Show Intern
1940s English author Elbert Hubbard is known for popularizing the infamous saying “If you have a Lemon, Make a Lemonade.”
One can interpret this quote in a figurative sense and relate it to many aspects. One of which being sports.
Heading into the final week of the 2022 CFL season the standings were already locked in, leading to a weekend of meaningless football.
3DownNation contributor Justin Dunk appeared on Friday’s Rod Pedersen show, with an attempt at giving fans a watching interest for this weekend.
“The story of the week,” argued Dunk, “has to be the fact that (BC Lions Quarterback) Nathan Rourke is back between the white lines (against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers).”
Rourke was the breakout star during the first half for the 2022 campaign.
The former Ohio University QB produced a 79.2 Completion Percentage, and 3281 passing yards, while throwing for 25 TD’s in 9 games of action.
Off the field his production was recognized, winning 5 player of the week awards, and being nominated for the CFL 2022 Most outstanding player.
Rourke also broke former Montreal Alouette Quarterback Gerry Datillo’s record for single game passing yards (427) throwing for 488 in a victory against the Toronto argonauts.
When asked about Rourke, Datillo spoke positively in an August interview with the Regina Leader Post.
“I don’t mind him breaking my records,” said Datillo. “Because it makes me feel good in that I did something. He can break whatever records he can because the kid’s pretty good.”
In limited action against the Blue Bombers in Week 21, Rourke went 7/11 for 88 yards.
While the Victoria, BC product gets ready for the CFL playoffs he can’t help but look towards the potential of playing QB south of the border in the future.
3DownNation wrote back in 2021 that “Rourke earned one of five try-out invites to New York Giants rookie mini-camp, taking place from May 14-16, with a chance to impress and earn a contract. However, SNY NFL insider Ralph Vacchiano reports that on Day One, Rourke worked exclusively with the wide receivers.”
NFL draft analyst Lance Zerlein presented the then Ohio University quarterback with a negative review as he was ending his university tenure.
“He’s best as a zone-read, RPO-based prospect with some off-schedule ability,” said Zerlein, “but lacks NFL pocket-passing talent.
Rourke had this to say about the criticism during a previous interview with the Vancouver Province.
“Sometimes you need those things to push you.”
Given Rourke’s play during the 2022 season Dunk confirmed on the Rod Pedersen show that there will be NFL interest come the end of the year.
Dunk emphasized that how Rourke fairs as he returns from injury could play a role in determining his NFL future.
“If Rourke comes back and leads the BC Lions to the Grey Cup, that’s just going to put this thing into overdrive in terms of the amount of interest in the NFL workouts that he does get over the offseason”
(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm ET on Game+ TV and WQEE Radio Metro Atlanta)
(Photo: BC Lions)
