THE RETURN OF THE ROURKE

November 19 2021 saw the BC Lions conclude a second consecutive five-win season with a 43-10 win over the Edmonton Elks.            

However unlike the previous five win campaign, this one ended on a bright note as then rookie QB Nathan Rourke threw for 359 yards and 1 Touchdown.

Drafted 15th in the 2020 CFL Draft, the former Ohio University star built a successful college pedigree,culminating with an MVP performance in the teams 30-21 Idaho Potato Bowl victory over the University of Nevada.

Following the signing of his official CFL contract in May 2021 Rourke had this to say in a press conference about his professional football opportunity”

“I’m really excited to be able to work with this organization,” said Rourke, “and happy to be able to focus on helping the Lions this season and beyond.” 

Prior to the start of the 2022 campaign DraftKings.com gave the Lions +1200 odds to win the West division ahead of only the Edmonton Elks.

Following an opening week 59-15 victory over those Elks, the Lions would ride that momentum to an 8-1 record by mid August.  

Rourke became the talk of the league during that stretch producing a 79.2 Completion Percentage, 3281 passing yards, and throwing for 25 TD’s in his first 9 games.  

The league would recognize his play over that stretch naming him player of the week 5 times (also as of Wednesday October 26th nominating him for CFL Most Outstanding Player). 

However disaster struck as the Lions would lose Rourke to a Lisfranc injury following a week 11 28-10 victory over their division rival Saskatchewan Roughriders.  

Losing their star would cause the Lions to stumble dropping their next two contests. 

Looking to salvage their season, Lions Co-General Manager Neil McEvoy made a trade with the Montreal Alouettes acquiring quarterback Vernon Adams.  

Rod Pedersen explained the logic McEvoy had with the Adams trade on Wednesday’s Rod Pedersen show. 

“You know how it is when your General manager is making moves midseason to fortify your team,” exclaimed Pedersen. “That galvanizes a room! That fires you up!”

The trade got the Lions back on track leading to 12 wins entering the final week of the season and a second place West Division finish. 

CFL alumnus Jeff Fairholm emphasized his surprise with the Lions during his Wednesday appearance on the Rod Pedersen show.

“Nobody was picking the Lions to make the playoffs this year,” explained Fairholm. “All of a sudden Rourke comes out and shows you how important it is to have a QB in our league.” 

Tuesday featured a significant morale booster for the Lions as head coach Rick Campbell announced the return of Rourke from injury for Friday’s game in Winnipeg.  

“Having Nathan Rourke back is great for the CFL,” exclaimed Fairholm. “Great for the BC Lions, and great for the league.”

On Wednesday’s Rod Pedersen Show, COO Lee Genier had this to say regarding Rourke.  

“People want to see if Nathan Rourke can come back and not skip a beat and and be the difference-maker for BC. I think that’s what everyone’s eyes are gonna be on.” 

During his Friday October 22nd appearance on the Rod Pedersen show, Calgary Radio host Jock Wilson previewed the Stampeders first round playoff opponent in the Lions. In that preview he said a Lions team with a healthy Rourke would “scare the hell out of me.”                       

Come Sunday November 6th the Stampeders travel to BC Place where they will have their work cut out for them.  

(Photo: BC Lions)