Nathan Rourke and the Western Division showcased their dominance at the CFL awards ceremony held on Thursday evening. The B.C. Lions’ quarterback, Nathan Rourke, was honored with the prestigious George Reed Trophy for being the CFL’s outstanding player and was also recognized as the top Canadian player at Club Regent Casino.
Rourke now joins an elite group of players, including Brady Oliveira, Jon Cornish, Russ Jackson, and Tony Gabriel, who have achieved the dual distinction in the same season. Expressing humility, Rourke acknowledged the legendary status of these players and emphasized the significance of carrying forward their legacy in the CFL, particularly as a Canadian player.
Another standout performer at the awards was Trey Vaval from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who clinched two accolades for top rookie and special-teams player. Additionally, individual honors went to B.C.’s Mathieu Betts for defensive player and Jermarcus Hardrick of the Saskatchewan Roughriders for outstanding lineman.
The award recipients were determined through voting by the Football Reporters of Canada and all nine CFL head coaches, with a total of fifty-three ballots cast. Notably, Logan Ferland of the Saskatchewan Roughriders received the Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Trophy for exemplifying the qualities of Canada’s veterans, while Andrew Peirson from the B.C. Lions was honored with the Tom Pate Memorial Award for his exceptional sportsmanship and community contributions.
During the season, Rourke, hailing from Victoria, achieved career-best statistics in passing yards (5,290), touchdowns (31), rushing yards (564, leading all quarterbacks), and rushing touchdowns (10). The B.C. Lions topped the CFL standings in offensive points per game (31.1), net yards (430.2), and passing yards per game (325.4), finishing second in the West Division with an impressive 11-7 record after winning their final six regular-season matches.
Despite the accolades, Rourke still felt the disappointment of the team’s recent loss to Saskatchewan, emphasizing his desire to have been competing in the Grey Cup championship game. Looking ahead optimistically, Rourke highlighted the team’s collective efforts and expressed hope for continued success in the future.
The upcoming Grey Cup will see Saskatchewan facing off against the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday.