Adam Bighill

Last updated
Adam Bighill
No. 4     Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2021, 04, Adam Bighill.jpg
Bighill with the Blue Bombers in 2021
Born: (1988-10-16) October 16, 1988 (age 35)
Montesano, Washington, U.S.
Career information
StatusActive
CFL status American
Position(s) Linebacker
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight223 lb (101 kg)
College Central Washington
High schoolMontesano (WA)
Career history
As player
20112016 BC Lions
2017 New Orleans Saints
2018–present Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Career highlights and awards
Career stats
Tackles891
Sacks49
Interceptions16
Forced Fumbles14

Adam Bighill (born October 16, 1988) is an American gridiron football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Hs is a three-time Grey Cup champion, winning with the BC Lions in 2011 and twice more with the Blue Bombers in 2019 and 2021. He is a three-time winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award and is a six-time CFL All-Star and eight-time CFL West All-Star. He also spent time with the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Washington Wildcats.

Contents

Professional career

BC Lions

After going undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft, Bighill signed as a free agent with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on May 31, 2011. [1] Bighill had an impressive rookie season, playing an increased role as the season progressed. He played in 12 games, including the final seven regular season games, and the West Final and Grey Cup games. He led the club, and was ranked fourth overall in the CFL, with 22 special team tackles. [2]

Bighill began the 2012 CFL season by replacing Solomon Elimimian at middle linebacker for the Lions, after Elimimian was signed by the Minnesota Vikings. [3] After assuming the starting linebacker role, Bighill went on to amass 104 tackles (2nd most in the CFL) and 4 interceptions. Elimimian returned to the Lions midway through the season, but Bighill retained all of the playing time. He was named both a CFL West All-Star and a CFL All-Star for the 2012 season.

Bighill and Elimimian both returned to the Lions linebacker core for the 2013 CFL season. Bighill suffered a sprained ankle and missed Week 3 and 4. [4] He played in the 16 other regular season games, and the Lions' lone playoff game. Bighill put together a strong 2013 season, accumulating 92 tackles, 12 special teams tackles, 9 sacks, 1 interception and 3 fumble recoveries (one of which he returned for a touchdown; his first of his career). In 2014, Bighill played in all but one of the 18 regular season games as well as one playoff game. He totalled 77 tackles, 12 special teams tackles, 6 sacks, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery. Following the season, Bighill's linebacker teammate, Solomon Elimimian, was named the leagues MOP, and both of them signed 3-year contract extensions on the same day. [5]

In Bighill's fifth season with the Lions he played in all but one game of the regular season, contributing a league leading 117 tackles. Following the season, Bighill was named the CFL's Top Defensive Player. [6] Bighill continued his dominant play in the 2016 season finishing 3rd in the league in tackles and earning his fourth CFL All-Star award in the past five seasons. On December 9, 2016, the BC Lions granted Bighill a release as per the agreements in his contract which allows him to pursue an NFL contract up until January 27, 2017. If he is unable to sign an NFL contract by that date he will be back under contract with the BC Lions through the 2018 CFL season. [7] Through six CFL seasons Bighill amassed 489 defensive tackles, 69 special teams tackles, 33 sacks, 8 interceptions, 8 forced fumbles and 1 defensive touchdown.

Bighill had a workout with the New Orleans Saints on December 13, 2016. [8]

New Orleans Saints

Bighill signed a future/reserve contract with the New Orleans Saints on January 4, 2017. [9] [10] Bighill drew strongly positive attention for his performance during the Saints training camp and preseason. He was waived on September 2, 2017, and was signed to the Saints' practice squad the next day. [11] [12] He was promoted to the active roster on September 11, 2017. [13] He was released the following day, [14] and re-signed to the practice squad on September 14, 2017. [15] He was promoted back to the active roster on October 12, 2017. [16] He was waived again on October 17, 2017, and re-signed to the practice squad. [17] He was promoted back to the active roster on November 18, 2017. [18] He was waived two days later and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 16, 2018 [19] On May 14, 2018, Bighill asked for release from the New Orleans Saints and was waived. [20] Bighill played in three NFL games, contributing with one special teams tackle.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Bighill signed a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 19, 2018. [21] Bighill finished the 2018 season as the Blue Bomber's nominee for Most Outstanding Player, [22] was named to the CFL All-Star team, [23] and was ultimately named the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player. [24] [25] The Blue Bombers signed Bighill to a 3-year $750,000 contract extension in January 2019, making him the highest paid defensive player in the CFL. [26] Bighill helped lead the defence for the Bombers as they defeated Hamilton 33–12 in the 107th Grey Cup, the game saw Bighill recover a fumble which led to an Andrew Harris touchdown. After the win Bighill said that "I've packed too many garbage bags. I only play this game to win championships. We're bringing it home to Winnipeg, it doesn't get any better than that." [27]

The Bombers were set to defend their title during the 2020 CFL season although it was cancelled because of the ongoing pandemic. Bighill was scheduled to make $265,000 in the following season, but he took a $145,000 pay cut to stay with the Bombers and help the team in a league that was troubled financially by the pandemic. [28] Bighill would go on to lead an excellent Bombers' defence that would lead the league in yards and points allowed. He had an acrobatic interception against Cody Fajardo during the 2021 Banjo Bowl. [29] Bighill would finish the season with 70 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions. His incredible season would result in him being announced the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player for 2021, as well as a CFL All-Star. [30] Bighill and the Bombers defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the third time that season in the CFL West Division Final, as they would go on to their second Grey Cup game in a row. In the 2021 Grey Cup the Bombers trailed Hamilton late in the fourth quarter by a score of 22-10 but would rally to go on and win 33–25 in overtime for their second Grey Cup in a row. This was Bighill's third Grey Cup title. Following the season, on January 20, 2022, Bighill and the Blue Bombers agreed to a one-year contract extension. [31]

Bighill was named a CFL West All-Star for the eighth time in his career following the 2022 season in which the Blue Bombers advanced to the Grey Cup final for the third consecutive season. [32] He had one defensive tackle in the 109th Grey Cup, but the Blue Bombers were defeated by the Toronto Argonauts. On November 29, 2022, the Bombers announced that Bighill had re-signed with the club on a new two-year contract. [33]

In 2023, Bighill played and started in 17 regular season games where he had 74 defensive tackles, four sacks, and one interception. He played in his fourth straight Grey Cup game, but the Blue Bombers lost to the Montreal Alouettes. [34]

Statistics

 Defence
YearTeamGPGSDTSTTQSIntFFFRTD
2011 BC 12072200010
2012 BC 18181041694210
2013 BC 1615921291431
2014 BC 1717771261210
2015 BC 1817121741010
2016 BC 1818108151000
2018 WPG 1818105142411
2019 WPG 151561042200
2020 WPG Season cancelled
2021 WPG 141470022021
2022 WPG 181872021000
2023 WPG 171774041001
CFL totals 18116789171491614104

[35]

Personal life

Bighill was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate. He is on the board of Toronto-based charity Making Faces, a charity dedicated to helping people cope with facial differences. [36] His son Beau was also born with a bilateral cleft lip. After Wendy Williams mocked Joaquin Phoenix on her show in 2020 because of his cleft lip, Bighill relentlessly called her out and requested an apology. Williams did end up making an apology to Bighill on Twitter, as well as making two donations to cleft related charities and wished his son Beau good luck on his upcoming surgery. [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike O'Shea (Canadian football)</span> Canadian Football League head coach

Michael O'Shea is the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a former Canadian football linebacker and former special teams coordinator of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL from 2010 to 2013, winning the Grey Cup in 2012. O'Shea played 16 seasons in the CFL for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts from 1993 to 2008. He retired second all-time in career tackles with 1,154 and is one of only three players to record over 1,000 tackles. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1999 after recording 84 tackles, 13 special teams tackles and three interceptions that year. O'Shea is a three-time Grey Cup champion as a player, having won all three with the Argonauts in 1996, 1997, and 2004. He is also a two-time Grey Cup winning head coach, having won with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019 and 2021; O'Shea also won the Grey Cup previously as a special teams coach with the Toronto Argonauts in the 100th Grey Cup.

The Norm Fieldgate Trophy is a Canadian Football League trophy awarded to the outstanding defensive player in the West Division. Each team in the West division nominates a player, from which the winner is chosen. Either the winner of this trophy or the winner of the James P. McCaffrey Trophy will also be the winner of the Canadian Football League Most Outstanding Defensive Player award. The trophy is named after former BC Lions linebacker Norm Fieldgate.

Jovon Johnson is a former professional Canadian football defensive back. He was the winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 2011 while with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, becoming the first defensive back to win the award in the league. He is also a two-time CFL All-Star and five-time CFL East Division All-Star. In addition, he was a member of the 2007 Saskatchewan Roughriders that won the Grey Cup, though he spent little time on the active roster and finished the last game on the practice roster. He has also been a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Erie RiverRats, Ottawa Redblacks, and Montreal Alouettes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cory Greenwood</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1985)

Cory James Greenwood is an Canadian professional football linebacker. He is a Grey Cup champion, having won the 106th Grey Cup with the Stampeders. He played college football for the Concordia Stingers from 2006 to 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solomon Elimimian</span> Canadian football linebacker

Solomon Elimimian is a former Canadian football linebacker and the current president of the Canadian Football League Players' Association (CFLPA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bear Woods</span> American gridiron football player (born 1987)

Jonathan "Bear" Woods is a former professional Canadian football linebacker of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was originally signed by the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He made his professional debut for the Montreal Alouettes (CFL) in 2013 and won a Grey Cup championship with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017. He played college football at Troy University. In January 2022, he was named head football coach at Wetumpka High School in Wetumpka, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jackson Jeffcoat</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Jackson Jeffcoat is a former gridiron football defensive end who played his entire Canadian Football League (CFL) career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Jeffcoat won the 107th and 108th Grey Cup when the Blue Bombers defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to conclude the 2019 and 2021 seasons. He played college football at the University of Texas at Austin. Jeffcoat was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and also played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hénoc Muamba</span> Congolese-Canadian gridiron football player (born 1989)

Hénoc Muamba is a Congolese-Canadian football player for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was selected first overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2011 CFL Draft, becoming the first player from St. Francis Xavier University to be chosen first overall in the draft. In 2022, he won the Grey Cup with the Argonauts and was named the game's most valuable player (MVP) and Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian; the 2nd player in history to ever earn both awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Miller (Canadian football)</span> Professional Canadian football fullback

Mike Miller is the special teams coordinator for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and is a former professional Canadian football linebacker and fullback who played for 11 years. He is a three-time Grey Cup champion, having won with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2015 and with the Blue Bombers in 2019 and 2021. He is the all-time leader in career special teams tackles and holds the record for most special teams tackles in one game with seven.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Thomas (Canadian football)</span> Professional Canadian football defensive tackle

Jake Thomas is a professional Canadian football defensive tackle for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alden Darby</span> American gridiron football player (born 1992)

Alden Darby Jr. is a Canadian football defensive back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Arizona State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Micah Awe</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Micah Awe is a Nigerian-born Canadian football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Texas Tech. Awe has also been a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets, Toronto Argonauts, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Ottawa Redblacks, BC Lions, and Montreal Alouettes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Sayles</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Marcus Sayles is a professional gridiron football defensive back for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalil Bass</span> American gridiron football player (born 1990)

Khalil Bass is a former gridiron football linebacker. He was previously a player in the Canadian Football League, where he made his debut with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2015, and also played for the Ottawa Redblacks and Toronto Argonauts where he won the 105th Grey Cup. He also played for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football (AAF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Kongbo</span> Zaire-born gridiron football player (born 1996)

Jonathan Kongbo III is a professional gridiron football defensive lineman who is a free agent. He most recently played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was originally drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the first round with the fifth overall pick in the 2019 CFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona Western and Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Winston Rose</span> American gridiron football player (born 1993)

Winston Rose is a professional gridiron football defensive back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Rose won the 107th Grey Cup with the Blue Bombers when they beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 33–12. He played NCAA football for the New Mexico State Aggies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Richardson (Canadian football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1996)

Steven Richardson is an American gridiron football defensive tackle for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Minnesota, and originally signed with the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He has also played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Calver</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1993)

Brandon Calver is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quency Williams</span> American football player (1961–2022)

Quency Leon Williams was an American gridiron football defensive end who played six seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Calgary Stampeders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He played college football at Auburn and also had stints with the Birmingham Stallions, Los Angeles Raiders, Arizona Outlaws and BC Lions. He won the 78th Grey Cup with the Blue Bombers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Demerio Houston</span> American gridiron football player (born 1996)

Demerio Houston is a professional Canadian football defensive back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

References

  1. "Roster - B.C. Lions". BC Lions. Archived from the original on 2011-11-30.
  2. "Special Teams Tackles 2011 - Statistics - CFL.ca - Official Site of the Canadian Football League". CFL.ca. Archived from the original on 2015-03-16. Retrieved 2017-08-23.
  3. "Ready for the real deal". BC Lions. Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2012-07-29.
  4. Sprained ankle, 2013 CFL season [ permanent dead link ]
  5. "Lions extend LBs Elimimian, Bighill". TSN.
  6. "Adam Bighill named CFL's top defensive player | or-politics.comor-politics.com". or-politics.com. Archived from the original on 2015-12-08. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
  7. "Lions grant Bighill release to pursue opportunities down south". CFL.ca. 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2016-12-09.
  8. UNDERHILL, NICK. "Saints continue to mine CFL ranks, sign linebacker, defensive back". The Advocate.
  9. "Saints sign CFL's Bighill". TSN. January 4, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017.
  10. Dabe, Christopher (January 4, 2017). "New Orleans Saints sign 2 defensive players from CFL". NOLA.com.
  11. "New Orleans Saints make 37 roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017.
  12. "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. September 5, 2017. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018.
  13. DeShazier, John (September 11, 2017). "John DeShazier: Linebacker Adam Bighill to make NFL debut vs. Vikings". NewOrleansSaints.com.
  14. Katzenstein, Josh (2017-09-13). "Saints re-sign Bryce Harris, cut Adam Bighill, add Daniel Lasco to practice squad". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
  15. "Saints re-sign linebacker Adam Bighill to practice squad: source". NOLA.com. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  16. Erickson, Joel A. (October 12, 2017). "Saints promote Adam Bighill to 53-man roster". TheAdvocate.com.
  17. Williams, Charean (October 17, 2017). "Saints promote Daniel Lasco, cut Adam Bighill, Bryce Harris". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  18. "Saints Promote LB Adam Bighill, Waive OT Bryce Harris". November 18, 2017.
  19. Teope, Herbie (January 16, 2018). "Saints sign 10 players, including De'Vante Harris, to reserve/future contracts". NOLA.com.
  20. "New Orleans Saints announce post-rookie minicamp roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. May 14, 2018.
  21. "Bombers sign four-time CFL All-Star linebacker Adam Bighill". bluebombers.com. May 19, 2018.
  22. "CFL announces 2018 team award winners". 31 October 2018.
  23. "Star Power: 2018 CFL Divisional All-Stars announced". 7 November 2018.
  24. "Adam Bighill named Most Outstanding Defensive Player - CFL.ca". CFL.ca. 2018-11-22. Retrieved 2018-11-23.
  25. "Stars aligned: 2018 CFL All-Stars unveiled". Canadian Football League . Retrieved 2018-12-04.
  26. Dunk, Justin. "Bombers make Adam Bighill the highest paid defensive player in the CFL - 3DownNation".
  27. Dan Ralph (25 November 2019). "Harris leads Winnipeg Blue Bombers to first Grey Cup win since 1990". CTV News . Canadian Press.
  28. Jason Bell (January 22, 2021). "Pay cut a massive gash: Bombers' Bighill takes $145K contract hit". Winnipeg Free Press .
  29. John Hodge (September 23, 2021). "Cody Fajardo still can't believe how Adam Bighill intercepted him during the Banjo Bowl". 3DownNation.
  30. "Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill is CFL's outstanding defensive player". The Globe and Mail . December 10, 2021.
  31. TSN ca Staff (2022-01-20). "Bombers extend Most Outstanding Defensive Player Bighill - TSN.ca". TSN. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  32. "Updated list of 2022 CFL Division All-Stars". CFL.ca. 2022-11-02. Retrieved 2022-11-29.
  33. 3Down Staff (2022-11-29). "Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign linebacker Adam Bighill to two-year contract extension". 3DownNation. Retrieved 2022-11-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. "110th Grey Cup". Canadian Football League . Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  35. "2023 CFL Guide" (PDF). Canadian Football League. p. 72. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  36. "All-star CFL linebacker Adam Bighill helps others with facial differences". thestar.com. November 15, 2015.
  37. "U.S. TV host apologizes for cleft lip joke after pressure from Blue Bomber". CBC News . January 16, 2020.