{"id":162347,"date":"2025-09-22T22:16:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T22:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/162347\/"},"modified":"2025-09-22T22:16:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T22:16:07","slug":"bc-lions-qb-rourke-sounds-off-on-cfls-garbage-nfl-style-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/162347\/","title":{"rendered":"BC Lions QB Rourke sounds off on CFL’s ‘garbage’ NFL-style changes"},"content":{"rendered":"

BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke is not happy with the newly announced changes coming to the CFL<\/a> over the next couple of seasons.<\/p>\n

On Monday, CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston revealed multiple changes to the Canadian game that will align it more closely with the NFL. Among the changes will be shrinking the field from 110 yards to 100 yards, end zones decreasing from 20 yards to 15 yards, and the play clock increasing from 20 seconds to 35 seconds, which will reset automatically, similar to the NFL.<\/p>\n

The changes have proved to be a bit controversial, and Rourke did not mince words<\/a> when asked about them on Monday.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew rule changes are garbage,\u201d Rourke said. \u201cThese are the things that are unique about the [Canadian] game that make it different, and the rule changes to me make it sound like we want to be [the NFL].<\/p>\n

\u201cThe CFL game has existed for longer than the NFL, and there\u2019s a reason for that. It\u2019s unique, the fans love it\u2026 and they\u2019re changing that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nathan Rourke called the new rule changes \u201cgarbage\u201d. Very upset that the players and those involved in the on field product weren\u2019t consulted at all. He\u2019s very disappointed in the commissioner who he\u2019s not convinced loved the game like he does. A lot more there, will post fully\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) September 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The changes have caused quite a stir among CFL fans, who are worried that the league is focusing too much on trying to mimic its American counterpart. Rourke, as one of the league\u2019s premier players, appears to be in that camp.<\/p>\n

He went on to question exactly how the league decided on these changes and who was consulted when making the decision.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe people who play football, who have the football knowledge, were not consulted,\u201d Rourke said. \u201cPlayers weren\u2019t consulted, coaches, management, nobody was consulted. This was done on their own accord.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a commissioner who hasn\u2019t been here for a year who is already trying to change the game\u2026 You cannot make adjustments like this and tell me you like football.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rourke has experience switching from the CFL to the NFL. Over the years, the 27-year-old has flipped between the Lions and several NFL teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons.<\/p>\n

The Victoria, B.C., native never appeared in a regular-season NFL game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went down and played in the NFL in that league, and I came back knowing that this is the game for me,\u201d Rourke said. \u201cWe\u2019re getting away from that, and that frankly makes me pretty pissed off.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only thing I think was positive was moving the teams to separate sidelines.\u201d<\/p>\n

The changes are sure to remain controversial to those wanting to preserve the uniqueness of the Canadian game, but we\u2019ll get a better idea of what this looks like once the 2026 season rolls around.<\/p>\n