Adams Jr. ‘crushed’ by decision to keep Rourke as B.C. Lions starting QB [Video]

Vernon Adams Jr. said it was difficult this season when the B.C. Lions decided to keep starting Nathan Rourke at quarterback, even after he had recovered from an injury.

“That really crushed me,” Adams said Monday as the Lions cleaned out their lockers following a disappointing 28-19 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Saturday’s CFL West semifinal.

The Lions began the season with hopes of playing in the Grey Cup game being hosted at BC Place Stadium on Nov. 17. After starting at 5-1 the Lions struggled to a 9-9 record and third place in the West.

“It was not the ending we wanted,” Adams said.

Adams opened the season as the Lions’ starter and was putting up MVP numbers before suffering a knee injury in an Aug. 1 loss to Winnipeg. While he was mending, Canadian-born quarterback Nathan Rourke returned to the Lions after failing to find a job in the NFL.

Carrying the weight of high expectations, …