Rookie Findlay looks a little like Rourke, a lot like keeper on Lion D

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Findlay jokes that ‘I haven’t decided on my Halloween costume yet, but that might be a little idea there,’ in regards to dressing up like his team’s star quarterback

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Published Oct 29, 2025 • Last updated 6 hours ago • 3 minute read

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Findlay Doppelganger: B.C. Lions defensive back Jackson Findlay plays Leos quarterback Nathan Rourke for the media earlier this summer.Article content

Jackson Findlay is the B.C. Lions’ starting safety and their backup for quarterback Nathan Rourke.

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The 21-year-old rookie from North Vancouver bares enough of a resemblance to Rourke that he pinch-hit for the QB during a media availability after practice earlier this season, much to the amusement of the reporters on hand.

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And, from the sounds of it, Findlay may not be done with pulling on the No. 12 Lions jersey that’s now synonymous with Rourke.

“I haven’t decided on my Halloween costume yet, but that might be a little idea there,” Findlay said after practice earlier this week, taking a break from preparations for Saturday’s West Division semifinal against the Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Place. “I might come in dressed as Rourke one day. Who knows?

“He likes it. He actually gave me the jersey the one time for the interview. He’s bought into it.”

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It’s Findlay in his own No. 33 jersey and manning the defensive backfield that Rourke and his Lions brethren are buying into most of all of course.

A second-round pick (No. 16 overall) by the Leos in this year’s CFL Draft out of the Western Mustangs program, Findlay took over the starting spot at safety four games ago, after Cristophe Beaulieu (knee) went down with an injury. Findlay has an interception in each of those four games, to go with 16 tackles.

On Wednesday, the 6-foot-2, 207 pound Findlay was named the defensive back on the CFL’s Pro Football Focus (PFF) honour roll for October. The PFF evaluates every player on every play of a game.

Findlay is second on the Lions in interceptions behind cornerback Robert Carter Jr. (five), and tied for seventh in the league. There’s a five-way tie for first in the CFL in picks with six.

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“He’s just a natural. It’s mainly his brain power,” veteran Lions halfback T.J. Lee said of Findlay.

Jackson Findlay, playing for Western last October, flattens McMaster ball carrier Jackson Taylor during their playoff game at Alumni Stadium in London, Ontario. Photo by Derek Ruttan /London Free Press

You can argue that Findlay comes by it all naturally, that the Canadian game is part of who he is.

He’s a fourth generation CFLer. Great-grandfather Stephen played for the Hamilton Tigers (now Tiger-Cats) in the 1935 Grey Cup. Grandfather Greg was a linebacker with the Lions from 1962-73, including being a part of B.C.’s first Cup championship team in 1964. Dad Anthony was a defensive back with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1994, and uncle Brooks did a six-year turn as a linebacker/special teams ace with Saskatchewan and B.C. that came to an end after the 2001 season.

Jackson played touch football and flag football at halftime of Lions’ games at B.C. Place growing up. He was in the crowd at the dome for the 2014 Cup between the Stampeders and the Ticats. His Vancouver College Fighting Irish team won the provincial high school title on B.C. Place turf in 2019.

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“I grew up watching the CFL,” said Findlay. “Maybe this is something that I was born to do. That’s kind of what it feels like. At the same time, it feels like I have my own journey, my own path.

“I am super-proud to be a Findlay and keep up our CFL tradition. This is a really amazing league. I love being a part of it.”

Western’s Jackson Findlay holds the Yates Cup after their win over Laurier at Alumni Stadium in London, Ont.Photograph taken on Saturday November 11, 2023. Photo by Mike Hensen /The London Free Press

On this practice day, Lee and Findlay were set to spend an extra hour or so studying film together. Lee says that added effort and discipline has been crucial in Findlay’s success so far. Findlay believes that “you need to get the mental part of the game down and the physical game kind of comes after that.”

“That’s building confidence with my coaches, my teammates, trying to get that extra in with meetings,” he continued. “When I was at Western, I was challenged to be that voice, the audible checks, running that defence. That really helped with the transition to the CFL. Still, it’s been a really big learning curve and I’ve had veterans who’ve really helped me throughout this year and allowed me to be in the position that I’m in.”

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The Lions head into the playoffs on a six-game win streak, which included both a 52-23 victory in Calgary on Sept. 19 and a 38-24 triumph over the Stamps at B.C. Place on Oct. 4. Those victories over Calgary gave B.C. the season series with the Stampeders, and gave them the home field advantage for the playoffs, since both teams finished the regular season at 11-7. Saturday’s winner visits the first-place ‘Riders (12-6) in the West final.

This year’s Cup is Nov. 16 in Winnipeg.

CFL Playoff Picks: Lions’ Rourke faces former teammate in West Division semifinal

B.C. Lions ride six-game win streak into West Division semifinal against Stampeders

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Rookie Findlay looks a little like Rourke, a lot like keeper on Lion D

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