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Nathan Rourke

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Nathan Rourke
No. 12 – BC Lions
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1998-05-24) May 24, 1998 (age 26)
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school:
College:
CFL draft:2020 / round: 2 / pick: 15
Undrafted:2020
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
CFL status:National
Career highlights and awards
Career CFL statistics
Passing completions:307
Passing attempts:406
Completion percentage:76.0
TD–INT:28-15
Passing yards:4,105
Stats at CFL.ca
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Nathan Rourke (born May 24, 1998) is a Canadian professional football quarterback for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Rourke played college football for the Ohio Bobcats. Nicknamed "Kid Canada," Rourke set the single-season CFL record for completion percentage (78.7%) during the 2022 CFL season.[1]

Early life

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Rourke was born in Victoria, British Columbia and grew up in Oakville, Ontario. He played minor football for the Burlington Stampeders before playing for three years at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School in Oakville.[2] He transferred to Edgewood Academy in Elmore, Alabama, for his senior season of high school football.[3] After his grade 12 season, he committed to play college football at Fort Scott Community College in Fort Scott, Kansas.

College career

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Rourke spent one season at Fort Scott, where he was named first-team All-KJCCC. He then transferred to Ohio University,[4] where he started at quarterback for three years for the Bobcats.[5][6] Rourke led Ohio to a 25–14 overall record as a starting quarterback for the Bobcats, while leading the team to three consecutive bowl victories in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl,[7][6] 2018 Frisco Bowl, and the 2020 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (January).[8]

He was the first winner of the Jon Cornish Trophy as the top Canadian football player in the NCAA for 2017, and repeated as winner in 2018. Growing up, Rourke idolized Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre.[9]

College statistics

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Fort Scott Greyhounds
Season GP Passing Rushing
Cmp Att Pct Yds TD Int QBR Att Yds Avg Lng TD
2016 11 221 378 58.5 2,367 18 13 119.9 118 27 0.2 27 3
Career 11 221 378 58.5 2,367 18 13 119.9 118 27 0.2 27 3
Ohio Bobcats
Season GP Passing Rushing
Cmp Att Pct Yds TD Int QBR Att Yds Avg Lng TD
2017 13 161 292 55.1 2,203 17 7 132.9 137 907 6.6 75 21
2018 13 164 274 59.9 2,434 23 8 156.3 134 860 6.4 70 15
2019 13 200 328 61.0 2,820 20 5 150.3 134 867 5.6 72 13
Career 39 525 894 58.7 7,457 60 20 146.5 425 2,034 6.2 75 49

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span
6 ft 1+1⁄4 in
(1.86 m) 		203 lb
(92 kg) 		30+5⁄8 in
(0.78 m) 		8+3⁄4 in
(0.22 m)
All values from Pro Day[10]

BC Lions (first stint)

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Rourke was ranked as the seventh-overall prospect entering the 2020 CFL Draft after being ranked third overall in both September 2019 and December 2019.[11] He was eventually drafted in the second round with the 15th overall pick by the BC Lions.[12] Rourke was the highest drafted Canadian quarterback since Jesse Palmer in the 2001 CFL Draft.[13][14] However, he did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the 2020 CFL season. In May 2021, he tried out for the New York Giants at wide receiver.[15]

2021

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On May 19, 2021, Rourke signed a three-year contract with the Lions.[16] Rourke started the opening game of the 2021 season against the Saskatchewan Roughriders since Michael Reilly could not play due to a shoulder/arm injury. Rourke completed 10 of 18 passes for 194 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He was replaced in the second half by Reilly, but Rourke finished the game for the Lions.[17] He spent most of the 2021 season as the backup for Reilly and being used in short yardage situations. Rourke also started the final game of the regular season on November 19, 2021, where he completed 23 out of 34 pass attempts for 359 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.[18] He also had seven rush attempts for 34 yards with three touchdowns as he earned his first career win as a starter in the victory over the Edmonton Elks.[18]

2022

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Rourke made his 2022 CFL season debut as the starting quarterback for the BC Lions on June 10, 2022, where he went 26/29 for 282 yards and three passing touchdowns. He also had seven carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns leading his team to a 59-15 victory over the Edmonton Elks. On June 25, 2022, Rourke set the record for most passing yards by a Canadian quarterback in a CFL game with 436 against the Toronto Argonauts.[19][20] He also set a Lions club record that night for pass completions in a single game with 39, breaking Buck Pierce's previous record of 38.[19][21] On August 6, 2022, he broke his own record for passing yards by a Canadian when he threw for 477 yards against the Elks and also threw a career high five touchdown passes.[22] In that same game, he completed 34 out of 37 pass attempts (91.9%) to record the highest pass completion rate in a single game with a minimum of 30 attempts and the third-highest completion percentage with a minimum of 20 attempts.[22][23] In the following game, on August 14, 2022, Rourke again set a new mark for passing yards by a Canadian with 488 yards and tied his own Lions franchise record with 39 completions in the comeback victory over the Calgary Stampeders.[24] Unfortunately, on August 19, 2022 Rourke left a game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders with a foot injury.[25] A couple of days later it was determined that he suffered a Lisfranc sprain in his right foot and required surgery.[26] At the time the Lions' organization was hopeful he would be able to return for the end of the regular season or playoffs.[27] The 2022 season was a breakout campaign for Nathan Rourke as he was named a Top Performer of the Week in the CFL five times in the Lions' first nine games of the season. He was also named a CFL Top Performers of the Month for the months of June and August.[28] Through the first half of the season Rourke was a leading candidate for the Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian awards. He was leading the league in passing attempts, completions, completion percentage, passing yards, yards per attempt, passing touchdowns, and quarterback rating. He was also second in the league with seven rushing touchdowns. Rourke returned to practice on October 11, 2022.[29] It was announced that Rourke would return to the starting lineup for the team's final game of the regular season.[30] He ended the season leading the league in passer efficiency, completion percentage and yards per game. His mark of 78.7% set a new CFL record for the highest completion percentage in a single season in league history. After besting the Stampeders in the first round of the playoffs Rourke and the Lions were defeated by the two-time defending champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Western Final.[31][32] In spite of missing close to half of the regular season, he won the CFL's award for Most Outstanding Canadian.[33][34]

NFL workouts

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Following his breakout season in the CFL, Rourke announced that he had scheduled workouts with a number of National Football League (NFL) teams.[35][34] In December Rourke had workouts with seven NFL teams: the Las Vegas Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings.[36][37] In January 2023 Rourke had workouts with five more NFL teams: Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Giants, and Cleveland Browns.[38][39] As per CFL-NFL transfer window rules he was eligible to sign an NFL contract starting on January 9, 2023.

Jacksonville Jaguars

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On January 16, 2023, it was officially announced that Rourke had signed a three-year contract with the Jaguars of the NFL.[40] On January 30, 2023, he underwent foot surgery.[41] He was waived on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.[42][43] On October 18, 2023, Rourke was signed to the Jaguars active roster, then released three days later and re-signed to the practice squad.[44][45] He was signed to the active roster on December 9.[46] Rourke was released on December 16.[47]

New England Patriots

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On December 18, 2023, Rourke was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots.[48] On May 6, 2024, Rourke was released by the Patriots.[49]

New York Giants

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On May 7, 2024, Rourke was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants.[50] However, with three quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart, Rourke was waived on July 28, 2024.[51]

Atlanta Falcons

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On August 1, 2024, it was announced that Rourke had signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[52] He played in one preseason game before being released on August 11, 2024.[53]

BC Lions (second stint)

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On August 13, 2024, it was announced that Rourke had re-signed with the Lions.[54][55]

Professional statistics

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Passing Rushing
Year Team GD GS Att Comp Pct Yards TD Int QBR Att Yards Avg Long TD
2021 BC 13 2 82 52 63.4 754 3 5 80.0 18 111 6.2 17 5
2022 BC 10 9 324 255 78.7 3,349 25 10 123.6 39 304 7.8 50 7
2024 BC 9 8 209 136 65.1 1,781 4 9 80.3 24 213 8.9 51 5
CFL totals 31 19 615 443 72.0 5,884 32 24 103.1 81 628 7.8 51 17

Personal life

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Rourke was born to Larry and Robyn Rourke.[56] His younger brother, Kurtis Rourke, played quarterback at Ohio for four years before finishing his U.S. college career at Indiana University,[57][58] where he received the Cornish Trophy in 2024.[59] He is married to his high school sweetheart, Emily.

References

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  1. ^ "Nathan Rourke to sign with NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars". CFL.ca. January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
  2. ^ Radley, Scott (February 3, 2016). "The superstar high school QB without a home". Inside Halton. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  3. ^ Kuiperij, Jon (April 23, 2015). "Oakville quarterback to play senior high school year in Alabama". Inside Halton. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2020.
  4. ^ Garbutt, Herb (December 16, 2016). "Long recruiting road leads Rourke to Ohio University". Inside Halton. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  5. ^ Parker, Matt (February 5, 2020). "Nathan Rourke's lasting legacy that won't soon be forgotten". The Post Athens. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Garbutt, Herb (December 12, 2017). "Oakville's Rourke looking to bring Bobcats a Bowl title". Inside Halton. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  7. ^ "Canadian QB Nathan Rourke helps Ohio University to NCAA Bahamas Bowl win". Toronto Star. December 22, 2017. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  8. ^ "Canadian QB Rourke caps off career by leading Ohio past Nevada in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl". TSN. January 3, 2020. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  9. ^ Kluge, Cody. "Nathan Rourke's past experience has him ready to take over as starter for BC Lions". BVM Sports. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  10. ^ "2020 NFL Draft Scout Nathan Rourke College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  11. ^ "Gallimore headlines spring edition of Scouting Bureau". CFL.ca. April 20, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Lions Make Early Splash; Select Seven In CFL Draft". BC Lions. April 30, 2020. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
  13. ^ "2020 CFL Draft Guide". Canadian Football League. April 30, 2020.
  14. ^ "Nathan Rourke's triumphant football journey fuelled by disappointments". The Province. May 2, 2020.
  15. ^ "New York Giants working out Canadian QB Nathan Rourke at receiver in rookie mini-camp". 3DownNation. May 14, 2021.
  16. ^ "Lions sign QB Nathan Rourke to round out 2020 draft class". BC Lions. May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  17. ^ "Canadian QB Nathan Rourke starts for Lions in place of injured Michael Reilly against Riders". 3DownNation. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  18. ^ a b "Lions down Elks in dominant season finale". Canadian Football League. November 19, 2021.
  19. ^ a b "Rourke leads Lions over Argos in historic night". Canadian Football League. June 25, 2022.
  20. ^ "Lions QB Rourke throws record-setting 436 yards in dominant win over Argos". The Sports Network. June 25, 2022.
  21. ^ "BC Lions All-Time Individual Records to 2021" (PDF). BC Lions. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Nathan Rourke reaches new heights as B.C. Lions rout struggling Edmonton Elks 46-14". The Globe and Mail. August 7, 2022.
  23. ^ "2022 CFL Record Book" (PDF). Canadian Football League. p. 217. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  24. ^ "Lions claw their way to win over Stampeders". Canadian Football League. August 13, 2022.
  25. ^ "Rourke requires further evaluation on right foot injury - TSN.ca". TSN. The Canadian Press. August 20, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  26. ^ "Nathan Rourke To Have Surgery For Lisfranc Sprain". BC Lions. August 21, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  27. ^ 3Down Staff (August 21, 2022). "Canadian QB Nathan Rourke to undergo surgery for Lisfranc sprain, Lions 'hopeful' for late season return". 3DownNation. Retrieved August 22, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ^ "Rourke, Burnham, Sutton named Week 10 Top Performers". CFL.ca. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  29. ^ TSN ca Staff (October 11, 2022). "Rourke returns to practice for Lions - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  30. ^ "Rourke to start for Lions in regular-season finale - TSN.ca". TSN. The Canadian Press. October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  31. ^ "2022-11-06 Game Tracker - Calgary Stampeders vs. BC Lions (6293)". CFL.ca. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  32. ^ "2022-11-13 Game Tracker - BC Lions vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6295)". CFL.ca. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  33. ^ Baker, Matt. "NATHAN ROURKE WINS CFL MOST OUTSTANDING CANADIAN AWARD". BC Lions. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  34. ^ a b Anantharaman, Maitreyi (November 18, 2022). "The Brief, Thrilling Summer Of The All-Canadian Quarterback". defector.com. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  35. ^ "BC Lions QB Nathan Rourke working out with NFL teams". TSN. The Canadian Press. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  36. ^ TSN ca Staff (December 2, 2022). "Nathan Rourke workout Las Vegas Raiders BC Lions". TSN. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  37. ^ TSN ca Staff (December 12, 2022). "Nathan Rourke working out with Indianapolis Colts". TSN. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  38. ^ TSN ca Staff (January 6, 2023). "Canadian QB Nathan Rourke works out with Bengals". TSN. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  39. ^ "Nathan Rourke Kansas City Chiefs workout". TSN. The Canadian Press. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  40. ^ "Record-setting CFL QB Rourke to sign with Jags". Jacksonville Jaguars. January 16, 2023.
  41. ^ "Jaguars' newly signed QB Nathan Rourke undergoes foot surgery". Jaguars Wire. January 30, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  42. ^ Oehser, John (August 29, 2023). "Roster Reduction: Jaguars Move Towards 53 Players". Jaguars.com. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  43. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Announce 13 Additions to Practice Squad". Jaguars.com. August 30, 2023.
  44. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Sign QB Nathan Rourke to Active Roster". Jacksonville Jaguars. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  45. ^ Pankiw, Colton (October 24, 2023). "Former BC Lions' Nathan Rourke re-signs with Jaguars practice squad". Daily Hive Vancouver. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  46. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Sign Nathan Rourke to Active Roster, Elevate Tevaughn Campbell and Josh Pederson and Downgrade Tyson Campbell to Out". jaguars.com. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  47. ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars Activate WR Jamal Agnew, Waive QB Nathan Rourke and Elevate TE Josh Pederson". jaguars.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  48. ^ "Patriots claim Nathan Rourke off waivers". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  49. ^ "Patriots release QB Nathan Rourke". Patriots.com. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  50. ^ "Giants claim QB Nathan Rourke off waivers from Patriots". Giants.com. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
  51. ^ "TE Theo Johnson passes physical, returns to practice; Giants sign CB Breon Borders". New York Giants. July 28, 2024.
  52. ^ "Falcons sign QB who was Most Outstanding Canadian in 2022 and former UFL TE". Atlanta Falcons. August 1, 2024.
  53. ^ "Falcons place OLB Bralen Trice on reserve/injured list, make a slew of transactions". Atlanta Falcons. August 11, 2024.
  54. ^ "He's back: Nathan Rourke returns to B.C. Lions". 3DownNation. August 13, 2024.
  55. ^ "2022 Most Outstanding Canadian Nathan Rourke returns to BC Lions". BC Lions. August 13, 2024.
  56. ^ "Nathan Rourke - 2019 - Football". Ohio University Athletics. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  57. ^ Helwick, Steve (April 20, 2020). "The Rourke quarterback legacy continues at Ohio through Kurtis". Hustle Belt. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  58. ^ Glenesk, Matthew (December 18, 2023). "IU football already landed Ohio QB out of transfer portal. Now, gets one of his top WRs". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  59. ^ "2024 Jon Cornish Trophy Winner: Kurtis Rourke, Indiana" (Press release). The Cornish Trophy. December 23, 2024. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
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