Kurtis Rourke: A Canadian Star in Indiana
When you walk into the Indiana football facility, you might spot Kurtis Rourke sporting a shirt that reads, “BRING YOUR EH GAME,” adorned with the iconic red and white Canadian maple leaf flag. This shirt is more than just a piece of clothing; it’s a statement of pride for Rourke, who hails from Oakville, Ontario. His journey from Canada to becoming the star quarterback for the Indiana Hoosiers is a tale of perseverance, passion, and national pride.
Rourke’s love for sports is deeply rooted in his Canadian heritage. In 2019, during his first year of college in America, he purchased the NBA League Pass to follow the Toronto Raptors’ journey to an NBA championship. His sports hero is none other than Terry Fox, the legendary Canadian who ran a marathon for 143 consecutive days in 1980 after losing his right leg to cancer. “I’m very proud to be Canadian,” Rourke says, reflecting on his upbringing and the values instilled in him.
This season, Rourke has led the Hoosiers to a school-record 11 wins during the regular season, a feat that has propelled Indiana into its most significant game in program history. The Hoosiers, who were initially picked to finish 17th out of 18 schools in the Big Ten’s preseason poll, are set to face Notre Dame in the first round of the College Football Playoff. The game is scheduled for Friday night at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC/ESPN.
Rourke’s presence on the field is not just a win for Indiana; it’s a win for Canada. No Canadian quarterback has ever played in a college football game of this magnitude. His older brother, Nathan Rourke, who led Ohio University to three consecutive bowl wins and now plays for the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League, is among those cheering him on. “I hope Kurtis understands how many people here are rooting for him,” Nathan says. “Hopefully, he’ll feel that.”
Breaking Barriers for Canadian Quarterbacks
According to ESPN Research, Kurtis Rourke is one of only three Canadian quarterbacks to start at the Power 4 level this millennium, joining Christian Veilleux (Pittsburgh) and Jesse Palmer (Florida). Veilleux, originally from Ottawa, played high school football in Maryland and now plays for Georgia State. Palmer, who is now an ESPN college football analyst and host of “The Bachelor,” played 27 games with 14 starts for the Florida Gators under coach Steve Spurrier from 1997 to 2000.
While Canadian players at other positions, like Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, have found opportunities in American football, quarterbacks have faced unique challenges. The differences in rules between Canadian and American football, such as a longer and wider field and unlimited motion, have historically deterred American college coaches from recruiting Canadian quarterbacks. However, Rourke’s success is changing that narrative. “Kurtis’ success is removing that stigma,” Palmer notes, “and that’s going to provide Canadian quarterbacks with more opportunities south of the border.”
A Nation’s Pride
Rourke’s achievements have given Canadians a college football player and team to rally behind. In Canada, college football is a niche sport, with ice hockey, basketball, soccer, and professional football taking precedence. Dave Naylor, a seasoned football reporter for TSN, Canada’s largest sports TV channel, believes Rourke is already a household name due to Nathan’s CFL success. However, if Indiana manages to defeat Notre Dame, Kurtis could become one of the biggest stories in Canada.
“When Canadians see something Canadian blow up in the American media, that’s their signal to pay attention,” Naylor explains. “It gets people here excited.” Naylor will be in South Bend to report on the game, highlighting the significance of Rourke’s journey for young Canadian athletes. “There’s all these little Kurtis Rourkes across Canada that are going to see this. That’s significant.”
The Rourke Brothers: A Tale of Determination
As children, Nathan and Kurtis Rourke were inspired by their father’s old VHS highlight tape of the Green Bay Packers’ 1996-97 Super Bowl-winning team. Nathan, in particular, was captivated by Brett Favre and chose to watch football highlights over cartoons. Kurtis, wanting to emulate his older brother, followed suit, and both began playing football at a young age.
Their passion for the game was evident even in high school, where they would ask to watch game film after completing their classwork. Andrew Saulez, a teacher and basketball coach at Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School, recalls their dedication to improving their skills. “They were students of the game,” Saulez says. “They fell in love with getting better and the grind.”
Nathan’s journey to American college football was not without its challenges. Despite his success at Edgewood Academy in Alabama, where he led the team to a state championship, he received no FBS scholarship offers. Undeterred, Nathan enrolled at Fort Scott Community College, where he excelled and eventually earned offers from Akron and Ohio. Kurtis, meanwhile, returned to Canada for his junior year of high school, where he continued to grow both physically and as a player.
Ohio quarterbacks coach Scott Isphording initially had doubts about Kurtis due to the level of competition he faced in Canada. However, after seeing him play, Isphording was impressed by his talent and potential. With Nathan’s endorsement, Ohio offered Kurtis a scholarship, and he went on to become a standout player for the team.
Looking Ahead
Now at Indiana, Kurtis Rourke has emerged as one of the top passers in the country, ranking third nationally in QBR (85.7) behind only Heisman finalists Cam Ward and Dillon Gabriel. His success has not only opened doors for himself but also for future Canadian quarterbacks aspiring to play in the United States.
As Kurtis prepares to take on Notre Dame, he carries the hopes of a nation on his shoulders. “I know there haven’t been too many opportunities for Canadians like this,” he acknowledges. “It won’t be front of mind. But it’s definitely in the back of my mind — that I’m doing this for Canada.”
Originally Written by: Jake Trotter
