TORONTO (June 14, 2022) – A trio of Lions – Nathan Rourke, James Butler and T.J. Lee – are the Canadian Football League (CFL)’s Top Performers for Week 1 of the 2022 season.

The three players were chosen by a panel of judges made up of Matt Dunigan and Marshall Ferguson of TSN, and Pierre Vercheval of RDS, who independently send their selections to the CFL head office.

QB | NATHAN ROURKE | BC LIONS | BC 59 – EDM 15

• 26-of-29 passing (89.7 per cent) – tenth highest percentage all-time (min. 20 attempts) and second highest in team history
• Career-high three touchdown passes
• Seven carries for 78 yards (11.1 yards per carry); two rushing touchdowns
• 42 points: team record in a half
• 59 points: third-most in team history
• Highlights
  • Rourke finds James Butler for the game’s opening score
  • Rourke connects with Keon Hatcher for a 6-yard major
  • Rourke scores his second rushing touchdown of the game

RB | JAMES BUTLER | BC LIONS | BC 59 – EDM 15

• 141 all-purpose yards on 23 touches; four touchdowns
• 108 rushing yards on 17 carries (6.4 yards per carry); two rushing touchdowns; three 10+ yard rushes and two 20+ yard efforts
• Six receptions for 33 yards; two receiving touchdowns
• Only player in Week 1 to rush for more than 100 yards
• Highlights
  • Rourke finds James Butler for the game’s opening score
  • Butler scores on 37-yard rush
  • Butler scores his hattrick touchdown after an amazing cut
  • Rourke finds Butler for his fourth touchdown of the game

DB | T.J. LEE | BC LIONS | BC 59 – EDM 15

• Three tackles and two interceptions
• Picked off Nick Arbuckle in the first quarter
• Intercepted Tre Ford in the second and returned it five yards
• 22 career interceptions; third game with more than one
• Highlights
  • Lions defence shines with four interceptions

2022 CFL TOP PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK

• 1 | Nathan Rourke (BC) | James Butler (BC) | T.J. Lee (BC)

Full coverage of the 2022 season on CFL News Hub.