 Bighill with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2021 | |
| Born: | (1988-10-16)October 16, 1988 (age 36) Montesano, Washington, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Status | Active |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 241 lb (109 kg) |
| College | Central Washington |
| High school | Montesano (WA) |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2011–2016 | BC Lions |
| 2017 | New Orleans Saints |
| 2018–2024 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Career stats | |
| Tackles | 939 |
| Sacks | 50 |
| Interceptions | 16 |
| Forced Fumbles | 14 |
Adam Bighill (born October 16, 1988) is an American professionalfootballlinebacker who is afree agent. He most recently played for theWinnipeg Blue Bombers of theCanadian Football League (CFL). He is a three-timeGrey Cup champion, winning with theBC Lions in2011 and twice more with the Blue Bombers in2019 and2021. He is a three-time winner of theCFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award and is a six-time CFL All-Star and eight-timeCFL West All-Star. He also spent time with theNew Orleans Saints of theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theCentral Washington Wildcats.
After going undrafted in the2011 NFL draft, Bighill signed as afree agent with theBC Lions of theCanadian 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 the2012 CFL season by replacingSolomon Elimimian at middle linebacker for the Lions, after Elimimian was signed by theMinnesota 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 the2013 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). In2014, 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 theCFL's Top Defensive Player.[6] Bighill continued his dominant play in the2016 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]
Bighill signed a future/reserve contract with theNew 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.
Bighill signed a one-year deal with theWinnipeg 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 theCFL'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 the107th Grey Cup, the game saw Bighill recover a fumble which led to anAndrew 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 the2020 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 againstCody Fajardo during the 2021Banjo Bowl.[29] Bighill would finish the season with 70 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions. His incredible season would result in him being announced theCFL'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 the2021 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 the2022 season in which the Blue Bombers advanced to the Grey Cup final for the third consecutive season.[32] He had one defensive tackle in the109th Grey Cup, but the Blue Bombers were defeated by theToronto Argonauts. On November 29, 2022, the Bombers announced that Bighill had re-signed with the club on a new two-year contract.[33]
In2023, 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 theMontreal Alouettes.[34] In the2024 season, he played in the first ten games of the season where he had 48 defensive tackles and one sack before an injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.[35] In January 2025, Bighill indicated that the Blue Bombers would not be offering him a new contract for the 2025 season. He became afree agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 11, 2025.[36][37]
| Defence | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | GP | GS | DT | STT | QS | Int | FF | FR | TD | |
| 2011 | BC | 12 | 0 | 7 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2012 | BC | 18 | 18 | 104 | 16 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2013 | BC | 16 | 15 | 92 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2014 | BC | 17 | 17 | 77 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2015 | BC | 18 | 17 | 121 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2016 | BC | 18 | 18 | 108 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018 | WPG | 18 | 18 | 105 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2019 | WPG | 15 | 15 | 61 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2020 | WPG | Season cancelled | |||||||||
| 2021 | WPG | 14 | 14 | 70 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2022 | WPG | 18 | 18 | 72 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 | WPG | 17 | 17 | 74 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| 2024 | WPG | 10 | 10 | 48 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| CFL totals | 191 | 177 | 939 | 71 | 50 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 4 | ||
Bighill was born with a bilateralcleft lip and palate. He is President of the Canadian charity Making Faces, a charity dedicated to helping people cope with facial differences.[39] His son Beau was also born with a bilateral cleft lip. AfterWendy Williams mockedJoaquin 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.[40]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)