Findlay jokes that ‘I haven\u2019t 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<\/p>\n
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Published Oct 29, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 6\u00a0hours ago \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 Jackson Findlay is the B.C. Lions\u2019 starting safety and their backup for quarterback Nathan Rourke.<\/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 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.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n And, from the sounds of it, Findlay may not be done with pulling on the No. 12 Lions jersey that\u2019s now synonymous with Rourke.<\/p>\n \u201cI haven\u2019t decided on my Halloween costume yet, but that might be a little idea there,\u201d Findlay said after practice earlier this week, taking a break from preparations for Saturday\u2019s West Division semifinal against the Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Place<\/a>. \u201cI might come in dressed as Rourke one day. Who knows?<\/p>\n \u201cHe likes it. He actually gave me the jersey the one time for the interview. He\u2019s bought into it.\u201d<\/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 It\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n A second-round pick (No. 16 overall) by the Leos in this year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, the 6-foot-2, 207 pound Findlay was named the defensive back on the CFL\u2019s Pro Football Focus (PFF) honour roll for October. The PFF evaluates every player on every play of a game.\u00a0<\/p>\n Findlay is second on the Lions in interceptions behind cornerback Robert Carter Jr. (five), and tied for seventh in the league. There\u2019s a five-way tie for first in the CFL in picks with six.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s just a natural. It\u2019s mainly his brain power,\u201d veteran Lions halfback T.J. Lee said of Findlay.<\/p>\n You can argue that Findlay comes by it all naturally, that the Canadian game is part of who he is.<\/p>\n He\u2019s 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.\u2019s first Cup championship team in 1964. Dad Anthony was a defensive back with the Saskatchewan Roughriders<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Jackson played touch football and flag football at halftime of Lions\u2019 games at B.C. Place<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cI grew up watching the CFL,\u201d said Findlay. \u201cMaybe this is something that I was born to do. That\u2019s kind of what it feels like. At the same time, it feels like I have my own journey, my own path.<\/p>\n \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 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\u2019s success so far. Findlay believes that \u201cyou need to get the mental part of the game down and the physical game kind of comes after that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s building confidence with my coaches, my teammates, trying to get that extra in with meetings,\u201d he continued. \u201cWhen 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\u2019s been a really big learning curve and I\u2019ve had veterans who\u2019ve really helped me throughout this year and allowed me to be in the position that I\u2019m in.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n 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\u2019s winner visits the first-place \u2018Riders (12-6) in the West final.<\/p>\n This year\u2019s Cup is Nov. 16 in Winnipeg.\u00a0<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n CFL Playoff Picks: Lions’ Rourke faces former teammate in West Division semifinal<\/p>\n![\"Findlay\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1030-findlay.jpeg\")
Doppelganger: B.C. Lions defensive back Jackson Findlay plays Leos quarterback Nathan Rourke for the media earlier this summer.Article content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/19.8.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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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<\/p>\n![\"Photograph](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lfp20231111mh062.lf_280538230.jpg\")
Western\u2019s 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<\/p>\n![\"B.C.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/fbo-cfl-redblacks-lions-20250912_299544748.jpg\")
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