The time was right for Nathan Rourke to return to the Canadian Football League.

After spending more than 18 months bouncing around with four NFL teams, the 26-year-old from Victoria decided he wanted to play again for the B.C. Lions.

B次元官网网址淚 think at the end of the day, I wanted to be in a situation where I felt like I could move up,B次元官网网址� Rourke said on Wednesday after his first practice with the Lions.

Rourke signed a three-year contract with B.C. on Tuesday after being released by the Atlanta Falcons over the weekend.

B次元官网网址淚 thought it was a bit of a tough situation,B次元官网网址� said Rourke, who was named the CFLB次元官网网址檚 Most Outstanding Canadian for the 2022 season. B次元官网网址淚 felt going to another team would be a hard ask and maybe not the best use of my time.

B次元官网网址淛ust the suddenness of that felt like it was maybe best to start exploring other options if the NFL thing didnB次元官网网址檛 work.B次元官网网址�

While the journey didnB次元官网网址檛 end the way Rourke had hoped, he doesnB次元官网网址檛 regret his decision to try the NFL path.

B次元官网网址淭here were definitely moments of frustration, but I donB次元官网网址檛 think the overall experience, I donB次元官网网址檛 see it as a negative,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been frustrated the last year-and-a-half. I had to keep reminding myself itB次元官网网址檚 not the gameB次元官网网址檚 fault, itB次元官网网址檚 the situation. I still love the game very much. ItB次元官网网址檚 a lot more fun when youB次元官网网址檙e able to participate in it.B次元官网网址�

One lesson Rourke learned is that the glitter of the NFL seen from the outside can fade quickly.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not as glamorous as you might think,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 football, a lot more money, a lot more business. ItB次元官网网址檚 not as caulked up as you might think. IB次元官网网址檓 happy to be back.B次元官网网址�

Rick Campbell, B.C.B次元官网网址檚 head coach and co-general manager, was impressed by how Rourke looked during practice and how quickly he reverted back to offensive coordinator Jordan MaksymicB次元官网网址檚 offence.

Campbell expects Rourke will start Sunday when the Lions host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BC Place Stadium.

B次元官网网址淎ll signs point to yes,B次元官网网址� said Campbell. B次元官网网址淭he only reasons I donB次元官网网址檛 say 100 per cent yes is the guy has gone through a whirlwind. Jordan and him are just making sure weB次元官网网址檙e all on the same page and heB次元官网网址檚 comfortable. So far, so good.B次元官网网址�

RourkeB次元官网网址檚 return comes at a critical time. The Lions started the season 5-1 but have lost their last three games.

Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who was enjoying an MVP type of year by throwing for 2,469 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, missed B.C.B次元官网网址檚 33-16 loss to Edmonton last weekend. He is listed week-to-week with a knee injury.

Rourke denied any friction with Adams.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e got the most amount of respect for VA,B次元官网网址� said Rourke. B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 such a pro. HeB次元官网网址檚 that type of leader and type of person that I aspire to be in the locker room.B次元官网网址�

RourkeB次元官网网址檚 return is already having an impact. Ticket sales have jumped for SundayB次元官网网址檚 game. A crowd of around 50 people gathered to watch the LionsB次元官网网址� practice, with one holding up a sign saying, B次元官网网址淲elcome Back Nathan Rourke.B次元官网网址�

One betting site now has B.C. the favourite to win the Grey Cup.

Rourke said he doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel any extra pressure even with Vancouver hosting the CFL championship on Nov. 17.

B次元官网网址淏eing the host city is important to a lot of people, but it wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be any more important to us if we were playing anywhere else in the league,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e want to win every single year.B次元官网网址�

Rourke, who played his college football at Ohio, played eight games as a backup for the Lions in 2021, then took over as a starter the following season.

He completed 255 of 325 passes for 3,349 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games. He also ran for 304 yards and seven TDs.

Despite Rourke suffering a foot injury in Week 11, the Lions finished second in the CFL West with a 12-6 record.

Rourke returned to lead the Lions to a victory over the Calgary Stampeders in the West semifinal, but B.C. lost to Winnipeg in the West Final.

Rourke signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in January 2023 but never appeared in a regular-season game. After being waived by the Jaguars in December 2023 he was claimed by the New England Patriots, where he dressed as a backup for one game.

The Patriots brought Rourke back this year, signing him to a one-year deal in March. But they released him in May. After short stints with the New York Giants and Falcons he decided to return home.

Signing Rourke has caused some dominoes to fall. On Wednesday the Lions released American quarterbacks Jake Dolegala, who was 14 of 23 for 146 yards and no TDs in the loss to Edmonton, and Brennan Armstrong. First-year player Chase Brice remains on the roster.

Rourke doubts it will take him long to adjust back to the Canadian game, or the LionsB次元官网网址� offence.

B次元官网网址淚 love the Canadian game,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t makes it fun to be out here.B次元官网网址�

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