LVR grad George Pearkes likes the interest from the CFL but has sights set on career off the gridiron

George Pearkes found his way to the CFL radar screen after four seasons at Duke University. — photo courtesy Duke University website

By Bruce Fuhr, The Nelson Daily

George Pearkes never caught a game-winning touchdown during his collegiate football career at Duke University.

The L.V. Rogers grad never started during his four-year career or played a full game.

However, in the Canadian Football League, Canadian born players are about as hard to unearth as gold in Canada.

So finding 20 non-imports, or Canadians, is not that easy for CFL scouts.

Which is why despite not setting the world on fire at Duke University, the CFL still wanted to know what the future held for a tight end named George Pearkes.

“I was asked informally by TSN’s CFL analyst Duane Ford what my plans for next year were,” Pearkes told The Nelson Daily from Duke.

“He did not mention a specific combine or camp (although he did ask if I was interested in one), but reached out by Facebook and email informally to see what I was thinking.”

For those keeping score at home Pearkes did not see any time during his first three seasons with the Blue Devils.

And during his senior year the 6’2”, 240-pound tight end played only a handful of minutes.

“My definitively non-illustrious Duke career (on the field) was limited to three snaps running out the clock against Tulane this year,” Pearkes explained.

“I was never a real depth chart player, but contributed through show-team offense, defense and special teams all four years.”

Still the CFL came calling.

“I would assume because of mandatory minimum Canadian players, and the fact that two of my teammates have contracts in the CFL (most notably Ontario native Chris Rwabakumba of the Tiger Cats),” Pearkes said when asked why a player with limited college experience would garner interest in professional ball.

“Further, CFL teams have huge turnover and regularly invite many players to work out; not surprising to see them cast a wide net.”

Pearkes, 22, isn’t planning to hit the weight room right away to prepare for a shot at the pros.

Instead the son of Tim and Eileen Pearkes plans on taking his skills learned at Duke to the boardroom where a full time job offer with Bank of America Merrill Lynch awaits.

Pearkes, graduating with a degree in Public Policy, a minor in Economics along with a Markets and Management Studies Certificate, will join the Global Markets Analyst program after receiving his diploma from Duke in May.

“I never even considered professional football,” confessed Pearkes, who played a handful of years in the now-defunct West Kootenay Minor Football League for the Nelson Wildcats before attending Duke after graduating from LVR in 2008.

“This was a really fun thing to have happen, but my career with Duke Football was pursued for entirely different reasons — the off field skill set, the camaraderie of the team, and the stability and family offered by the program over the four years I was there.”

So George. What was your best memory at Duke? Football. Attending the Blue Devil basketball games?

“I can't sum up my Duke experience in one moment,” Pearkes answered.

“Football was amazing. Tenting as a freshman and getting to see one of the greatest rivalries in sports inside Cameron Indoor Stadium was amazing.

“The classes and professors I've been exposed to hear have been amazing. And last but certainly not least the people I've gotten to share life here with have been incredible and life changing.”

And athletes say playing time is everything.

sports@thenelsondaily.com