SportsCage analyst Glen Suitor had a first-hand view for CFL quarterback Nathan Rourke’s first game in the British Columbia Adult Flag Football League.
“I went and watched him play the first game, it was really exciting, and he looked fantastic — he really did. I think in this game, they won 35-18, and in all but one series, Nathan didn’t generate a touchdown drive offensively,” Suitor told Brendan McGuire on the SportsCage.
“I think there was one series where they didn’t make it to the halfway mark. He fits right in. He was able to move the pocket, he was able to use his legs like we’ve seen him in tackle football.”
The reason why Rourke played last Sunday is because flag football will be an Olympic sport in 2028 in Los Angeles for the first time. The CFL will allow players in the three-down league to play. The 27-year-old B.C. Lions franchise QB shared in a past SportsCage episode why he wants to participate and represent Canada.
“It certainly is an opportunity that I’d not want to pass up if it ever comes across. There’s no spot that is reserved for me in any type of way, just like for any other player,” Rourke said.
“I would love to be considered, I think that’s what I’ve made clear by trying to make an effort to learn a little bit more about the game, trying to understand it a little bit better, and connect with those people who are the decision-makers.”
Suitor appreciated the hype Rourke generated among fans who came out to see him.
“The buzz around the field was incredible because behind me, as people were walking by, I kept hearing, ‘I think he’s on field three for the second game. I got to go see.’” Suitor recalled. “There were some camera crews there for local news, and the league itself was certainly taking as much video as they could.”
After the game, Suitor had a chat with Rourke. He defended his decision to participate in the league against would-be detractors.
“If there’s anyone out there in the media or wherever that criticizes this, because he’s playing in a men’s league, it’s the elite division, but he’s playing in a men’s league of flag football. How does that look to the Canadian Football League or pro football? I think it’s ridiculous,” Suitor said.
“Not only does he want to earn the respect of his teammates in flag football for this team, he was the beer guy, by the way, because he was a rookie on Sunday, and it was his first game. So he had to be the beer guy afterwards, when it was all said and done, which he embraced.”
When it comes to the popularity of flag football in Canada, Suitor likes the odds of more people taking up the sport leading up to the 2028 Olympics and afterwards.
“There are 60,000 people playing flag football in our country and that number is going to explode after 2028. It’s going to grow probably double by the time it gets to 28,” Suitor explained.
“In talking to the organizer (of the BC Adult Flag Football League), the last three years in flag football, it has grown by 300 percent for the women, and something like 30 to 40 percent for the men. His league alone has gone from 25 or 26 teams to now 57 teams.”