Nathan Rourke speaks with CFL brass after slagging rule changes

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Nathan Rourke isn't walking back his comments about the CFL's pending rule changes.

The B.C. Lions quarterback confirmed Thursday after practice that he had spoken to league brass after he was highly critical of Monday's announcement 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.

Rourke said then CFL was trying to become too much like the NFL. He called the changes "garbage".

On Thursday, Rourke was asked if he was happy with how his conversation with the league went.

"I wouldn't say 'happy,' is the right word," Rourke reported.

And what's the feedback been like overall after all this?

"For those people who matter to me and their opinions matter, it's been really positive," Rourke said.

Rourke admitted the situation regarding the changes is "out of my control," but added "I'm hoping they'll listen to somebody.

"Hopefully, there's enough people out there who watch the game and love the CFL who are able to speak and make their voice heard," said Rourke, 27, the pivot who was born in Victoria and grew up in Oakville, Ont.

"Collectively, we all want the league to get better. It's about what is the problem. That's the big disagreement. Hopefully there's an understanding that we have an exciting league, exciting players, exciting teams, exciting football."

Commissioner Stewart Johnston told Toronto-based TSN 1050 earlier in the week that Rourke is an "important voice in the league," and said then that he wanted to connect with Rourke and go over reasoning for the moves.

There have been players supporting the changes, most notably quarterbacks like Bo Levi Mitchell of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Zach Collaros of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"I 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," Rourke said of why he's been so vocally opposed. "And I'm 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.

"And maybe I'm a little naive, too. Maybe there are people who have been around a little big longer and they know how things work."

B.C. (7-7) is hosting the Toronto Argonauts (5-9-0) on Friday (7 p.m.) at B.C. Place, and they're coming off an impressive 52-23 dismantling of the Calgary Stampeders last week.

Monday's 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.

"I think our mentality has been 'we're going to enjoy the game, this game, while we have it,'" Rourke said. "I think we're going to enjoy each other while we have each other. The team changes constantly. The group that's in the huddle with you changes year after year. You're trying to play for each other and trying to play for the game as well."

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.

He's third in the league in passing yards (3,935) and touchdowns (22) despite missing two games. He's also eighth in the league in rushing yards (424), gaining 9.2 yards per carry. He's fourth in rushing touchdowns (7).

"I think we're playing fast. I think we're playing for each other. And I think we're doing a good job of protecting the football," Rourke said.

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.

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.

"Getting guys back is always exciting and I think the group's excited for the guys who get their opportunity again," coach Buck Pierce said.