Top Talent Offer Rough First Game Back With Lions: ‘I Want To Publicly Apologize’

Nathan Rourke showed signs of rust in his CFL return on Sunday night. The 2022 Most Outstanding Canadian completed 8 of 25 passes for 126 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated the BC Lions 20-11, marking BC’s fourth consecutive loss.

“I want to publicly apologize,” Rourke stated after the game. “That wasn’t my best performance. I didn’t make enough plays.”

This was Rourke’s first CFL game since rejoining the Lions earlier in the week, and the team struggled offensively. He was intercepted twice in the second quarter—once by Deatrick Nichols and later by Tyrell Ford.

Zach Collaros led the Blue Bombers with 288 passing yards, including one touchdown and one interception. BC’s only touchdown came on the last play with Rourke on the sidelines.

“There were things I wish I had done differently,” Rourke reflected. “I missed some throws.”

The 26-year-old from Victoria, B.C. cleared NFL waivers on Monday after being released by the Atlanta Falcons, where he played briefly in the preseason. He completed three of 13 passes for 37 yards in a game against the Miami Dolphins.

Rourke was previously released by the New York Giants after training camp, having been claimed from the New England Patriots, where he ended last season. He had been inactive for two games before serving as a backup in the Patriots’ final game against the New York Jets on January 7.

Originally, Rourke signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending two seasons with the Lions.

The BC Lions (5-5) will play again next Saturday evening in Ottawa against the Redblacks (6-2-1).