Solomon Elimimian

Last updated

Solomon Elimimian
2010 Grey Cup parade, Solomon Elimimian.jpg
Elimimian walking in a Grey Cup parade in 2011.
Born: (1986-10-21) October 21, 1986 (age 38)
Calabar, Nigeria
Career information
StatusRetired
CFL status American
Position(s) Linebacker
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight225 lb (102 kg)
College Hawaii
High school Crenshaw
(Los Angeles, California)
Career history
As player
2008 Buffalo Bills*
2010–2011 BC Lions
2012 Minnesota Vikings*
2012 Cleveland Browns*
2012–2018 BC Lions
2019–2020 Saskatchewan Roughriders
*Pre-season and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017
CFL West All-Star 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019
Career stats

Solomon Elimimian (born October 21, 1986) is a former Canadian football linebacker and the current president of the Canadian Football League Players' Association (CFLPA).

Contents

He spent nine seasons with the BC Lions and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie in 2010. In 2014, he won the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award and Most Outstanding Player Award. Elimimian is the first purely defensive player to win the league's Most Outstanding Player Award as well as the first player to win three different CFL awards in his career. He played college football for the Hawaii Warriors and attended Crenshaw High School in South Los Angeles, California.

Early years

Elimimian started playing football in the ninth grade at Crenshaw High School in South Los Angeles, California. [1]

College career

In his senior year with the Hawaii Warriors, Elimimian recorded 121 tackles and four sacks. By the end of his four years playing for the Warriors, Elimimian held the school's all-time tackles record with 434 tackles.

Professional career

Buffalo Bills

Following his collegiate career, Elimimian was signed by the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League and played in two preseason games. On September 1, 2009, he was released by the Bills.

BC Lions

Elimimian signed as a free agent with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League on May 19, 2010. [2] Elimimian recorded 77 tackles, five sacks and 11 special teams tackles in only 16 games. For his impressive efforts, he finished the year by winning the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award for the 2010 CFL season. In the 2011 season Elimimian was voted as the leagues 'hardest hitter' according to a TSN annual Player Poll, voted on by more than 250 CFL players. Elimimian finished the 2011 season with 98 tackles, 4 sacks and 2 interceptions. He went on with the Lions to capture the 99th Grey Cup.

Minnesota Vikings

Following two outstanding years in the CFL Elimimian decided to sign a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. [3] On August 25, 2012, he was released by the Vikings. [4]

Cleveland Browns

Elimimian was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad on September 1, 2012. He was waived from the practice squad on September 3, 2012.

BC Lions

Elimimian returned to the BC Lions partway through the 2012 CFL season. He only played in 6 CFL games that season, tallying only 12 tackles. Elimimian re-signed with the Lions hours after the opening of free agency on February 15, 2013. [5] Elimimian earned Defensive player of the Week honors for Week 6 after registering a forced fumble and an interception in the Lions win over the Blue Bombers on August 5, 2013. He finished the 2013 season with 73 tackles, 3 sacks and 3 interceptions. Elimimian had a record-setting 2014 CFL season, setting a new CFL record for most tackles in a season with 143 (he was 54 tackles ahead of Bear Woods who finished in second place that season). [6] In addition to setting the tackle record, Elimimian had 5 sacks, 1 interception and 3 fumble recoveries. He won the 2014 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award and Most Outstanding Player Award. He is the first purely defensive player to win the league's Most Outstanding Player Award as well as the first player to win three different CFL awards in his career. [7] [8] Just as the 2015 free agency period opened, the BC Lions announced a contract extension for Elimimian. The deal is reportedly worth $700,000 over three seasons. [9] Elimimian played in the first 7 games of the 2015 CFL season after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in mid-August. [10] He finished the season with 44 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 interception.

In Week 11 of the 2016 season Elimimian broke the Lions single game tackles record against the Argonauts when he made 14 tackles. [11] For the second time in his career Solomon Elimimian lead the league in tackles when he finished the 2016 season with 129. His accomplishments on the field were recognized when he was named the league's Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the second time in his career. [12] Set to become a free agent in February 2017, Elimimian and the Lions agreed to a two-year contract extension on December 21, 2016. [13] Elimimian had a career year in the 2017 season, surpassing his previous CFL record of 143 tackles in a season by one, raising the record to 144. Elimimian was named the Lions' Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player. [14]

Elimimian played in the first four games of the 2018 season, registering 26 tackles. On July 18, 2018 it was announced that Elimimian could miss up to eight weeks after undergoing wrist surgery. In early September Head Coach Wally Buono revealed that Elimimian would likely miss another four-to-five weeks as he recovered from his wrist surgery. [15] Elimimian was finally taken off injured reserve on November 6, 2018, prior to the Lions' Eastern Semi-Final playoff game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. [16] Following a number of high-profile free agent signings, headlined by star quarterback Mike Reilly, rumours began to circulate in late April that the BC Lions were planning to release Elimimian after failing to find a viable trade partner. [17] He was officially released on April 30, 2019. [18] Elimimian left the Lions as the team's all-time leader in tackles with 745, having played in 118 games for the Lions. The release came well after the CFL free agency period had passes, leading Elimimian's agent to criticize Ed Hervey for the timing; Elimimian had already agreed to pay cuts in consecutive years so that he could remain with the Lions, and with his release this late, Elimimian's next contract would not be as high given that most team's had already committed resources for the season. [19] Hervey doubled down on his reasons for releasing Elimimian; "We know when a players’ time is up and that's the decision that we made." [20]

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On May 9, 2019, the Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Elimimian to a contract. [21] Elimimian missed the first three games, but proved himself effective by finishing third in defensive tackles with 88, which was good for first in the Western Division, for which he was named a divisional All-Star. [22] He also forced a fumble, and had four sacks; in three wins against Hervey's BC Lions, Elimimian had one sack in each of them. Elimimian helped lead the Roughriders to first place in the West Division for the first time in a decade. He retired from professional football on February 9, 2021. [23]

Elimimian was announced as a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame 2023 class on March 16, 2023, in his first year of eligibility. [24]

Canadian Football League Players' Association

On February 7, 2020, Elimimian was elected President of the Canadian Football League Players' Association, beating out three other candidates. [25] He succeeded Jeff Keeping who did not seek a second term.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Hervey</span> American gridiron football player and executive (born 1973)

Edward Hervey is an American former professional football wide receiver who is currently the general manager for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos for eight years and also served as general manager of the Eskimos from 2013 through 2016, winning the 103rd Grey Cup to conclude the 2015 CFL season. He was later the general manager for the BC Lions from 2017 to 2020. He played college football at the University of Southern California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Wake</span> American gridiron football player (born 1982)

Derek Cameron Wake is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for Penn State Nittany Lions, and was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Foley</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1982)

Ricky Foley is a Canadian former professional football defensive end who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted by the BC Lions in the first round of the 2006 CFL Draft. He is a three-time Grey Cup champion, having won in his rookie year in 2006 and also winning in 2012 and 2013. Foley won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 2009 and also the Grey Cup's Most Valuable Canadian award in 2012. He played CIS football for the York Lions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Bowman (Canadian football)</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1982)

John Bowman is an American former professional football defensive end who played 14 seasons for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is currently the defensive line coach for the BC Lions of the CFL. He is a two-time Grey Cup champion after winning in 2009 and 2010 and was named a CFL All-Star twice and a Divisional All-Star nine times. Bowman is the Alouettes' all-time leader in sacks with 134 in his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Odell Willis</span> American gridiron football player (born 1984)

Odell Willis, nicknamed "the Mayor of Swaggerville", is a professional Canadian football defensive end who is a free agent. He was most recently a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was signed by the Spokane Shock as a free agent in 2007. He played college football for the West Georgia Wolves. Willis has also played for the Huntington Heroes, Peoria Pirates, Green Bay Blizzard, Calgary Stampeders, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Eskimos, and BC Lions.

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

Jonathan "Bear" Woods is an American former professional football linebacker who played in 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">Henoc Muamba</span> Congolese-Canadian gridiron football player (born 1989)

Henoc Muamba is a Congolese-Canadian former professional football linebacker who played in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and National Football League (NFL). He was a two-time CFL All-Star, three-time CFL Divisional All-Star, and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian in 2017. In 2022, he won the Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts and was named the game's most valuable player (MVP) and Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian, becoming the second player in history to earn both awards. He was also a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Indianapolis Colts, Montreal Alouettes, Dallas Cowboys, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Bighill</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Adam Bighill is an American professional football linebacker for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boseko Lokombo</span> American football player (born 1990)

Boseko Lokombo is a Congolese-Canadian professional Canadian football linebacker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Oregon. Lokombo has also been a member of the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, and the Baltimore Ravens, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL).

Anie-Ebiet Michael Edem is a Nigerian-Canadian former professional football defensive back who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL). After the 2012 CIS season, he was ranked as the tenth best player in the Canadian Football League’s Amateur Scouting Bureau final rankings for players eligible in the 2013 CFL Draft and sixth by players in Canadian Interuniversity Sport. Edem was drafted in the first round, third overall by the Montreal Alouettes and signed with the team on May 27, 2013. He played CIS football for the Calgary Dinos and McGill Redmen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simoni Lawrence</span> American gridiron football player (born 1989)

Simoni Lawrence is an American former professional gridiron football linebacker who played primarily for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a three-time winner of the James P. McCaffrey Trophy, a three-time CFL All-Star, and a five-time CFL Divisional All-Star. He is the Tiger-Cats' franchise leader in total tackles (734) and defensive tackles (727) and holds the CFL record for most defensive tackles in a single game (17).

<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">T. J. Lee</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

T. J. Lee III is an American professional football defensive back for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mic'hael Brooks</span> American gridiron football player (born 1991)

Mic'hael Goubron Brooks is an American former professional football defensive tackle. He played college football at East Carolina University and attended Bartlett Yancey High School in Yanceyville, North Carolina. He was a member of the Seattle Seahawks team that won Super Bowl XLVIII. Brooks was also a member of the Detroit Lions, BC Lions, Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shawn Lemon</span> American gridiron football player (born 1988)

Shawn Lemon is an American professional football defensive lineman for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Akron. He has been a member of eight CFL teams, three indoor football teams and two NFL teams.

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

Adam Konar is a Canadian professional football linebacker for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was originally drafted 25th overall in the 2015 CFL Draft by the Edmonton Eskimos and played for six non-consecutive seasons with the team. He played CIS football for the Calgary Dinos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mathieu Betts</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1995)

Mathieu Betts is a Canadian professional football defensive lineman for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Betts is the only player in U Sports football history to have won four major individual awards, after he won the 2015 Peter Gorman Trophy as the most outstanding rookie and three J. P. Metras Trophies between 2016 and 2018, as the most outstanding down lineman. He is also a two-time Vanier Cup champion, having won in 2016 and 2018.

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

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

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jordan Williams (linebacker, born 1994)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1994)

Jordan Xavier Williams is an American-Canadian former professional football linebacker who played for three years in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He was drafted first overall in the 2020 CFL Draft by the BC Lions. He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates.

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

Christopher Edwards is an American former professional football defensive back who played in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

References

  1. ↑ Craig, Mark (May 12, 2012). "New Vikings linebacker Elimimian hits hard, no matter his size". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ↑ http://bclions.com/article/two-more-pieces-added-to-lions-defence Two more pieces added to Lions defence
  3. ↑ https://vancouversun.com/sports/Solomon+Elimimian+latest+Lion+leave/6056657/story.html Elimimian signs with the Minnesota Vikings
  4. ↑ Craig, Mark. "No surprises as Vikings cut 15 players". Star Tribune. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  5. ↑ http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/football/source-linebacker-solomon-elimimian-re-signs-with-the-b-c-lions-1.74882 Elimimian resigns with the BC Lions
  6. ↑ "Preview: Elimimian looks to make history at CFL Awards". cfl.ca. November 27, 2014. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ↑ "Elimimian wins Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ↑ "Un-D-niable: Elimimian makes history with MOP honour". cfl.ca. November 27, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Lions extend LBs Elimimian, Bighill". TSN. February 9, 2015.
  10. ↑ "B.C. Lions star linebacker Solomon Elimimian to undergo surgery to repair torn Achilles | Metro News". metronews.ca. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  11. ↑ "He'll tackle anything: Adjusted total gives Elimimian a Lions team record". September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Stamped and Sealed: Calgary dominates Shaw CFL Awards". November 24, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Lions re-sign veteran LB Elimimian – Article – TSN". TSN. December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Elimimian breaks own single-season tackles record - CFL.ca". CFL.ca. November 5, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Buono: Elimimian to miss another 4-5 weeks - The Sports Network". TSN. September 12, 2018. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Report: Elimimian upping practice reps; could start Sunday - CFL.ca". CFL.ca. November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Report: Lions to release Solomon Elimimian". CFL.ca. April 26, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Lions part ways with Solomon Elimimian; waive 9 others". BC Lions. April 30, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Solomon Elimimian's agent accuses Lions GM ed Hervey of 'shady business'". May 5, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Lions GM ed Hervey on Solomon Elimimian: 'We know when a players' time is up'". May 21, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Roughriders sign LB Elimimian to contract". TSN. May 9, 2019. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  22. ↑ "2019 CFL Division All-Stars Announced - CFL.ca". November 6, 2019.
  23. ↑ Baker, Matt (February 9, 2021). "Lions salute Solomon Elimimian on brilliant career". BCLions.com. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Solomon Elimimian, John Bowman headline 2023 CFHOF class". Canadian Football League. March 16, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Riders' Solomon Elimimian elected as new president of CFL Players' Association". CBC. Canadian Press. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.