One certainly can’t fault the man for trying. Over the course of two seasons, quarterback Nathan Rourke did what he could to impress those in power in the NFL. Following his first two years in the CFL with the BC Lions, during which he earned the Most Outstanding Canadian Award and was in contention for the Most Outstanding Player Award until injuries impacted his breakout season, Rourke headed across the border to follow his NFL dreams.

Despite twelve workouts and four stops in two years (Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Giants, and Atlanta Falcons), Rourke consistently found himself as the odd man out. 

While there have been many others prior to Rourke who captured the spotlight in the CFL only to struggle in the NFL, there have been a number who have headed south and never looked back. 

With the Grey Cup on the horizon and the NFL season about to kick off, let’s look at five of the greatest success stories of CFL stars who defied the odds to shine in the NFL. 

1. Joe Theismann

CFL – Toronto (1971-1973)

NFL – Washington (1974-1985)

As a two-sport star, Theismann had a choice to try and stick with the Miami Dolphins, who selected the quarterback with the 99th pick in the 1971 NFL Draft, or head to Minnesota and try to make the Major Leagues with the Twins, who drafted him in the 39th round after he played shortstop in high school. Theismann threw both teams a curveball and headed to Toronto to suit up for the Argos. During his three seasons in the CFL, Theismann earned two All-Stars and a trip to the Grey Cup Final. 

In 1974 the Washington Redskins swapped a future draft pick for the rights to Theismann. Over the course of the next decade, Theismann would lead the team to victory in Super Bowl XVII, earn the league MVP, and two trips to the Pro Bowl. 

2. Warren Moon

CFL – Edmonton (1978-1983)

NFL – Houston, Minnesota, Seattle, Kansas City (1984-2000)

Following an impressive senior season with the Washington Huskies, many assumed that Moon would be an obvious pick in the NFL Draft. However, weeks before the 1978 Draft, Moon signed a deal with the Edmonton Eskimos, a decision that may have been the best of the quarterback’s career. During his six seasons in Alberta, Moon led the Eskimos to five straight Grey Cup championships in six years. Adding two Grey Cup MVPs and a Most Outstanding Player to his resume, Moon would enter an NFL free-agent bidding war in 1984.

Signing with the Oilers, Moon started every game his first season, but the team struggled with a 3-13 record. While an NFL championship would elude him for his seventeen-year career, Moon did find individual success earning nine trips to the Pro Bowl and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award, as well as a trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

3. Doug Flutie

CFL – BC, Calgary, Toronto (1990-1997)

NFL – Chicago, New England (2x), Buffalo, San Diego (1986-89, 1998-2005)

Following a storied collegiate career, Flutie, who was deemed too small to succeed in the professional ranks, was selected in the 11th round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the LA Rams. However, the undersized quarterback never made it to California, deciding instead to play in the USFL with the New Jersey Generals. A year later, the Rams swapped Flutie’s rights to the Bears for draft picks. After three seasons split between Chicago and New England, Flutie headed north. 

After struggling in the NFL, Flutie quickly became a CFL star, setting numerous single-season records in just his second year. In eight years, Flutie amassed three Grey Cups and MVPs, as well as six Most Outstanding Player Awards. Catching the eye of the Buffalo Bills, Flutie returned to the NFL where he earned the Comeback Player of the Year. 

4. Cameron Wake

CFL – BC (2007-08)

NFL – Miami, Tennessee (2009-2019)

The defensive end and linebacker from Beltsville, Maryland had the shortest CFL stint on this list, but it was still impressive. Undrafted out of Penn State in 2005, Cameron Wake earned a look with the New York Giants but would be released by the summer. Two years later, Wake joined the BC Lions and quickly proved everyone in the NFL who doubted him wrong. Wake, a two-time Most Outstanding Defensive Player and two-time All-Star, caught the eye of several NFL clubs.

Signing a four-year deal with the Dolphins, Wake established himself as one of the league’s premier pass rushers, recording a career total of 100.5 sacks and being named to the Pro Bowl on five occasions. 

5. Jeff Garcia

CFL – Calgary (1994-1998)

NFL – San Francisco, Cleveland, Detroit, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay (1999-2009) 

Undrafted in 1994, Garcia signed a deal with the Calgary Stampeders, backing up another undersized quarterback, Doug Flutie. Taking over as the team’s QB1 in 1996, Garcia helped the team capture a Grey Cup title two seasons later, earning himself the game’s MVP award in the process. 

Taking note of his talents, the 49ers inked Garcia to a contract to backup star quarterback Steve Young. While he won just 2 of 10 games in his first season, Garcia soon found his flow, making four trips to the playoffs and being named to the Pro Bowl on four occasions. 

With the continued growth of interest in football on either side of the border, the transition of players from one league to another provides an interesting twist for fans who want to follow their favorite player(s). Thanks to Canadian betting apps, fans now have more access than ever before when it comes to wagering on everything from individuals to team performances fueling the excitement for the game and creating intriguing opportunities.