Orville Burke was the quarterback for the Ottawa Rough Riders for six years before World War II from 193 to 1941.
After serving overseas during World War II, Burke returned after the war to play one game for Ottawa in 1946. Burke played the season opener in Hamilton before leaving Ottawa for Vancouver to accept a positon with the BC Fir and Cedar Company. At the time, Burke had hoped to eventually play for a Vancouver team, but the Lions would not start operation until 1954. Burke, however, did become involved in football in BC. Burke coached the UBC Thunderbirds and then at the high school level with Vancouver College.
Burke played in two Grey Cups in 1939 and 1940. Unfortunately, Burke ended up being the goat in the 1939 Grey Cup. A fumble early in the game led to a Winnipeg toudchdown and then late in the fourth he fumbled a punt which led to a game winning rouge by Art Stevenson and a 8-7 Bomber win over Ottawa. Burke and the Rough Riders returned to the Grey Cup ithe following year in 1940, looking for redemption. It should have been a rematch against the Bombers, but Winnipeg was denied a chance to play by the CRU (Canadian Rugby Union) over a rules dispute. The CRU decreed a two game total point series (the only one in Grey Cup history) between the Big Four champion Rough Riders and the ORFU champion Toronto Balmy Beach. Burke and the Riders won both games 802 in Toronto and 12-5 back in Ottawa.
Burke Outstanding in Win Over Beaches - December 2, 1940
Burke Named Head Coach of St. Patrick's College - September 4, 1941
Burke, Sports Officer at Camp Borden - September 9, 1943
Burke to Play for Canadian Armed Forces Teams Against Americans - January 25, 1944
Captain Orville Burke Helps Slow German Invasion of Russia - April 10, 1945
Saturday Will Be Burke's Swan Song - September 6, 1946
Burke Leaves for West Tonight - September 10, 1946
Burke New Football Coach of Vancouver College - September 4, 1951
| Year | Team | GP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | OTT | 0 | |
| 1937 | OTT | 0 | |
| 1938 | OTT | 5 | |
| 1939 | OTT | 1 | |
| 1940 | OTT | 4 | |
| 1941 | OTT | 0 | |
| 1946 | OTT | 1 | 4 |
No individual stats other than scoringwere kept in the East before 1954.
