Breaking: ‘I’m happy to be back’: QB Star returns to the B.C. Lions

August 26, 2024 Kerry Will CFL 0

After a hectic day that saw him go from an NFL prospect to the social media darling and CFL team savior, Nathan Rourke took some time on Tuesday to talk about what it meant to be a B.C. Lion once more.

He sent a message saying, “Happy to be back,” and then boarded a trip to Vancouver.

Rourke’s NFL goal was dashed — at least temporarily — when the Atlanta Falcons dismissed him over the weekend. The details of what transpired during his NFL career will have to wait until after he steps onto the practice field in Surrey on Wednesday. After two years, it was his fourth NFL stint.

But just as that fantasy was dashed, another one materialized: the Lions, headed by a quarterback from Canada, playing the Grey Cup at home.

Rourke signed a three-year contract with the Lions, according to Farhan Lalji. The deal is for $250,000 for the remainder of 2024, $749,000 in 2025, and $809,000 in 2026, plus $200,000 in non-salary cap qualifying marketing funds in the last two years. After spending one season as a starter in British Columbia, where he led the team in yards per game, completion percentage (78.7%), and passer efficiency, the 2022 Most Outstanding Canadian rode his success into an NFL deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Although the 26-year-old was never given the opportunity to compete in the NFL, he was devoted to pursuing his childhood ambition. Even the Lions, who had been in communication with him since his departure, were taken aback when he chose to put a halt to his quest of a return to the CFL. After making it through waivers on Monday, he got in touch with the Lions, and by Tuesday morning, he was back with the franchise that had selected him.

As it happens, this cat has returned.

Director of football operations Neil McEvoy stated, “When he finally decided that he wanted to look at coming back to Canada and the B.C. Lions, we obviously opened our arms and started discussions and were able to get something done.” “Excited about the chance for him to visit and return home.” I discussed a few things with him, including that. He was receiving the kind of affection he desired from the other league, but he was always feeling loved by this team, this nation, and this league.

It only took one game for the Lions’ feelings toward their remaining quarterbacks to wane following Rourke’s Lisfranc (foot) sprain during the 2022 season in British Columbia, and they acquired Vernon Adams Jr.

With Adams going out with a knee injury — he is currently still listed as week-to-week — it took one game before the Lions made a similar move. Coach Rick Campbell staunchly defended Adams, saying he wasn’t going anywhere this year, and that his leadership abilities were unquestioned. It was that kind of respect that made Adams the first phone call he made this morning once Rourke’s deal was signed, even before he had talked to his coaching staff.

However, it is unclear how the other two inhabitants, Jake Dolegala and Chase Brice, will fare in the remaining space. Just five days ago, Brennan Armstrong was added to the practice squad as a quarterback. The team will have to cut at least one player from the 45-man roster, albeit Rourke’s Maple Leaf heritage allows them more leeway in the Canadian ratio.

After playing with offensive coordinator Jordan Maksymic, Campbell anticipates that Rourke will suit up for this weekend’s game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers because he is in game shape and is familiar with the offense, terminology, and concepts.

It’s thrilling. It didn’t cross my mind so rapidly. It went by quickly, and I’m sure Nathan is eager to come up here and start playing,” Campbell remarked. Rourke would be leading the first team repetitions during practice.

The Lions have not looked like the team that began the season 5-1, even though they have lost three consecutive games away from home. Their chances of winning the title started to fade like a bronze medal at the Olympics when they saw how many teams they had lost to, all of whom had two or fewer wins, and how they had been shut out by the Bombers, who dominated the whole game.

The mood and impression have altered instantly with Rourke’s return.

“We’re not signing just any ordinary player here. This is a person with history in our league and in our nation,” McEvoy remarked. It’s sizable. When he was cut and waiting for him to decide what to do next, he was (trending on social media) yesterday, when we were having private conversations. It was clear to us when we spoke with him after he had cleared waivers that returning to Canada was not something that many were focused on. This is a man who, during his time with us, made a significant impact in every market—something that our league had not previously accomplished—traveling to places like Saskatchewan and Toronto, among other places.

 

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