Was the B.C. Lions quarterback happy with how the conversation went? ‘I wouldn\u2019t say \u2018happy,\u2019 is the right word,’ Rourke reported<\/p>\n
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Published Sep 25, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Nathan Rourke isn\u2019t walking back his comments about the CFL\u2019s pending rule changes.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The B.C. Lions quarterback confirmed Thursday after practice that he had spoken to league brass after he was highly critical of Monday\u2019s announcement<\/a> that the CFL will shorten the field by 10 yards and move the goalposts from the front of the end zone to the back as part of a series of alterations over the next two seasons.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Rourke said then CFL was trying to become too much like the NFL. He called the changes \u201cgarbage\u201d.<\/p>\n On Thursday, Rourke was asked if he was happy with how his conversation with the league went.<\/p>\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say \u2018happy,\u2019 is the right word,\u201d Rourke reported.<\/p>\n And what\u2019s the feedback been like overall after all this?<\/p>\n \u201cFor those people who matter to me and their opinions matter, it\u2019s been really positive,\u201d Rourke said.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Rourke admitted the situation regarding the changes is \u201cout of my control,\u201d but added \u201cI\u2019m hoping they\u2019ll listen to somebody.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully, there\u2019s enough people out there who watch the game and love the CFL who are able to speak and make their voice heard,\u201d said Rourke, 27, the pivot who was born in Victoria and grew up in Oakville, Ont.<\/p>\n \u201cCollectively, we all want the league to get better. It\u2019s about what is the problem. That\u2019s the big disagreement. Hopefully there\u2019s an understanding that we have an exciting league, exciting players, exciting teams, exciting football.\u201d<\/p>\n Commissioner Stewart Johnston told Toronto-based TSN 1050 earlier in the week that Rourke is an \u201cimportant voice in the league,\u201d<\/a> and said then that he wanted to connect with Rourke and go over reasoning for the moves.<\/p>\n There have been players supporting the changes, most notably quarterbacks like Bo Levi Mitchell of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats<\/a> and Zach Collaros of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I have a responsibility as a Canadian quarterback, as a Canadian and as someone who loves the game and has a unique perspective,\u201d Rourke said of why he\u2019s been so vocally opposed. \u201cAnd I\u2019m at a position in my career where I feel like I can speak out and not fear for my job. I know there are some people who worried about that.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd maybe I\u2019m a little naive, too. Maybe there are people who have been around a little big longer and they know how things work.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Still hearing alot noise about the @CFL<\/a> rule changes. Lots of criticism too about most TSN talent supporting them. I know this platform isn\u2019t always the best place for rational discussion, but here\u2019s a (longer than usual) #FarhanCast<\/a> on the topic & it\u2019s reaction pic.twitter.com\/RT5pSRlY5t<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) September 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n B.C. (7-7) is hosting the Toronto Argonauts (5-9-0) on Friday (7 p.m.) at B.C. Place<\/a>, and they\u2019re coming off an impressive 52-23 dismantling of the Calgary Stampeders last week.<\/p>\n Monday\u2019s league announcement has become a focal point, particularly when it comes to the Lions with all that Rourke said. He balked Thursday at the idea that it could be a distraction.<\/p>\n \u201cI think our mentality has been \u2018we\u2019re going to enjoy the game, this game, while we have it,\u2019\u201d Rourke said. \u201cI think we\u2019re going to enjoy each other while we have each other. The team changes constantly. The group that\u2019s in the huddle with you changes year after year. You\u2019re trying to play for each other and trying to play for the game as well.\u201d<\/p>\n This all is going on with Rourke in the midst of one of the best runs of his career. He was 20-of-24 for 331 yards with two touchdowns last week versus Calgary and also ran for three touchdowns as part of his six-carry, 43-yard effort along the ground.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n He\u2019s third in the league in passing yards (3,935) and touchdowns (22) despite missing two games. He\u2019s also eighth in the league in rushing yards (424), gaining 9.2 yards per carry. He\u2019s fourth in rushing touchdowns (7).<\/p>\n \u201cI think we\u2019re playing fast. I think we\u2019re playing for each other. And I think we\u2019re doing a good job of protecting the football,\u201d Rourke said.<\/p>\n Left tackle Jarell Broxton (foot) and running back James Butler (thigh), who both missed last week with injuries, were listed as starters against Toronto in the lineup that the Lions posted on their social media channels Thursday.<\/p>\n Despite missing the week, Butler leads the CFL in rushing yards (989) and is second in touchdowns (10). Broxton has made the Pro Football Focus (PFF) weekly honour roll three times this season so far.<\/p>\n \u201cGetting guys back is always exciting and I think the group\u2019s excited for the guys who get their opportunity again,\u201d coach Buck Pierce said.<\/p>\n SEwen@posmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Can amateur football find ways to foot bill to keep pace with CFL changes?<\/p>\n![\"Nathan](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/68ce2c8deb851062b7eb2932jpeg.jpg\")
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke isn’t backing down for his criticism of the CFL rule changes announced earlier this week. Photo by Jeff McIntosh \/The Canadian PressArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.6.0\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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