After Nathan Rourke voiced his displeasure with the Canadian Football League’s rule changes, some fans questioned his authenticity.
That was due to the fact he called the CFL an “unforeseen detour” in his football journey when he signed an NFL contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in January 2023. The Victoria, B.C. native and proud Canadian took an opportunity to set the record straight in a one-on-one interview.
“It wasn’t meant as any slight. I think a lot has changed over the last couple of years. To be quite frank, my goal as a kid was always to play in the NFL. I did grow up going to CFL games, went to Hamilton Ticat games at the old Ivor Wynne [Stadium], went to Argo games at the Rogers Centre, and was a B.C. Lion fan because I was from up there and had a lot of family out there,” Rourke said.
“I always followed the CFL, but I always wanted to play in the NFL. I followed the dream of going down to [NCAA] Division I, playing in the States. Then I went down there and I was able to experience [the NFL] myself. It was one of those situations where the grass seemed a little bit greener on the other side, in terms of what’s outside of the football.”
Rourke outplayed veteran C.J. Beathard in the preseason, but he was relegated to a third-string role in Duval County. New England claimed him off waivers, but after impressing Bill Belichick, who was fired following that season, the Patriots sent him to waivers after the 2024 NFL Draft. The Giants claimed Rourke but released him in late July. Atlanta signed him and gave him one preseason quarter without any practice reps eight days later. Two days after that experience, he was let go by the Falcons and the 2022 Most Outstanding Canadian quickly made his way back north of the border, signing a blockbuster contract with the B.C. Lions.
“I think that the CFL really represents football in its purest sense. It’s a community-driven, fan-driven league where the players are approachable. I really felt the players down in the NFL were elevated to a status that was more God-like and untouchable, almost. I think there was a lot of people that just play football for the lifestyle or what it brings them, rather than the love of the game,” Rourke said.
“I find every player in the CFL, I instantly have respect for them because I know that they’re playing football because they love it. There’s so many more things that I relate with it. Obviously, I think the game is awesome, I think it fits my skill sets so much better. But I went down there, experienced it for myself, bounced around, kind of felt the politics, kind of felt the business, and realized that I love football. I want to continue to improve as a quarterback, progress every single day, every single year, and the CFL was going to give me the best chance to do that, and for that, I owe the CFL a tremendous amount.”
The 27-year-old took his game to another level with the B.C. Lions in 2025. He completed 70.4 percent of his passes for 5,290 yards with 31 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 16 starts, posting an 11-5 win-loss record. He had 76 fewer pass attempts than Bo Levi Mitchell and finished six yards behind him for the CFL’s passing yardage crown.
Along with his elite production through the air, Rourke rushed 61 times for 564 yards — 9.2 per carry — with 10 majors. He produced more yards on the ground than any player in Toronto or Montreal. The dual-threat pivot ripped off seven carries that went for 20 or more yards — highlighted by a 70-yarder — which tied for the second-most in the league with 2024 M.O.P. and M.O.C. Brady Oliveira.
“It’s been a really awesome experience in the CFL. I think I said to you last time we talked, I don’t have any plans about going down that [NFL] route again. I know that what I have here is a tremendous opportunity to continue to live in the dream of playing professional football, and I’m doing it in my home country, which is a tremendous honour and privilege,” Rourke said.
“While it was a detour, at the end, I think the NFL ended up being the biggest detour at that point. I didn’t mean it at the time as anything negative; I can understand how people could take it that way, but I think that I’m more capable of being wrong. Obviously, the CFL was what allowed me to get a chance to go and give the NFL a try, but ultimately I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be back.”
The B.C. Lions and Amar Doman anointed Rourke the team’s franchise man upon his return to the three-down league. He was given a contract which made him the highest-paid player in the league on a pro-rated basis for the 2024 season and 2025 campaign. He’s currently scheduled to earn $684,000 in hard money for 2026, the most in the CFL.
“I know that I have an opportunity that many people would love to have, to be able to play for a team, continue to get reps, continue to get better, have opportunities and room to grow within a franchise,” Rourke said.
“I saw franchise quarterbacks in the NFL have a long leash and that’s what I have here. It’s a tremendous honour and a privilege. I’m very, very grateful for the organization and the league for welcoming me back after I gave that a shot.”
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