‘An extra layer of something to overcome'
The 36-year-old, who spent the last six seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, is working to resume his CFL career after tearing his ACL in last year's Labour Day Classic in Regina.
There's nothing left for Bighill — a three-time Grey Cup champion, three-time CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player, and six-time league all-star — to accomplish in the three-down world that he hasn't already, but he remains motivated.
BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS FILES
Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers minister of defence Adam Bighill, currently on the Calgary Stampeders practice roster, is aiming to face his old team on July 18.
Bighill signed to Calgary's practice roster last week, but his knee still isn't at 100 per cent so he will miss Thursday's showdown with the undefeated Bombers at McMahon Stadium.
'Mainly because I love the game and I love competing. I love grinding, and I love football. That's really it,' Bighill said Wednesday. 'As I visualize myself right now on what it would be like to not hit people, it doesn't sound too fun.'
'I've never had to come back from an injury like this so it's like an extra layer of something to overcome, and I've had to overcome a lot in my life to get where I am. For me, also, I think it's character building. I want to be able to come back from something like this and be proud of the work that I put in to get back and play the game at a high level like I want to.'
As much as he'd like to suit up this week, he'll have more chances as the Stamps and Bombers meet in Winnipeg on July 18 before returning to Calgary for a third and final regular season date on Aug. 9. Bighill's goal is to be ready in time for the mid-July battle at Princess Auto Stadium.
'He's a guy that raised the level of everybody around him just by his actions,' said Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros in Calgary. 'Since I was traded here in '19, I felt privileged to be his teammate and I always told him that it's an honour to take the field with you every day… and I truly meant that and still do… It's part of the game, but any time you lose leadership, it's tough.'
Bighill isn't in denial. He's up there in age, coming off a serious injury, and the Bombers found a younger and cheaper replacement for his spot in Tony Jones. He wanted to end his career in Blue and Gold, but never assumed it was guaranteed even though he put down roots in Winnipeg with his wife Kristina and their three kids.
'My job has always been to show that there's no one you can bring in that's going to be better than me. But I mean, when you get hurt, it's kind of easy for them to rip off the Band-Aid and say, 'We can move on from him, he's injured,'' said Bighill. 'And I mean, I understand. As much as I wish it wouldn't happen, this is kind of the way that it goes.'
After the Bombers made it clear they were moving in a different direction, folks began to stop Bighill in public to ask him what was next.
'Lots of questions. 'When are you coming back? Are you gonna coach? Are the Bombers gonna have you coach? Are you gonna hopefully sign somewhere late? What are you gonna do? Are you done? Are you going to retire?' All sorts of questions. But I told them all that I'm getting ready to play,' he said.
As for joining the Bombers' coaching staff once he hangs up the cleats for good, don't bank on it.
'I really just want to coach my kids, to be honest. I've had a long career. A long selfish career, if you will,' he said. 'I want to be able to spend more time with my family and create those kinds of opportunities with my time.'
Bighill has heard the noise, especially on social media. There are many out there that think he's done and has nothing left in the tank. But once he gets the green light to return, he's confident he will prove people wrong. He recorded 48 defensive tackles and one sack in 10 starts last year before the injury took him out.
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On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
'I think (I'll be) the player I've always been. I still feel like I can be explosive, fast, cerebral, and a playmaker,' hesaid. 'At the end of the day, the game is never about doing more things outside of your job, it's about doing your job at a high level and making the plays that maybe a few of the others can't… So I don't think it's going to be any different.'
Bighill had a big smile on his face when he pulled on Stampeders colours for the first time. He's long admired their hard-nose brand of football and he's happy to be on board with a group that he thinks can compete for a Grey Cup.
'It's been a great experience here so far, but that chapter in Winnipeg was by far the best and most fun I've ever had playing ball,' he said.
'I still got love for Winnipeg, my teammates out there, the city, and you know, I still live in Winnipeg so I still got a lot of love. (But), I want to beat them. No doubt. When it's game day, and we're playing this football season, it's 'Let's go Stamps.''
taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca
Taylor AllenReporter
Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.
Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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This isn't the same Stampeders team that allowed 29.2 points per contest a year ago, which was the second-worst in the CFL. They made big additions in all three phases of the defence this winter by signing defensive end Folarin Orimolade, safety Damon Webb and linebacker Derrick Moncrief in free agency. This defence has also had former Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill in their ear all week sharing everything he can about his previous club. Bighill, who signed to Calgary's practice roster last week after six seasons in Winnipeg, is still recovering from a torn ACL and will not play Thursday. Collaros, who passed the legendary Ken Ploen last week to move to No. 4 on the Bombers' all-time passing yardage list, is 10-6 in his career against Calgary. 'I think Zach is one of the best,' said Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson on Thursday. 'I love watching him play — not necessarily against us. He's one of my favourite guys… I just really have a lot of respect for him.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The Stampeders can make a massive statement with a win Thursday. They enter the week with the No. 2-ranked defence (21.6 points per game allowed) and rushing attack (135 ground yards per game) but haven't had a chance to test their skills against a West Division foe until now. They beat up on Hamilton and Toronto the first two weeks before falling 20-12 at home in Week 3 against Ottawa and their backup QB Dustin Crum on an afternoon that was heavily influenced by rain and wind. They've had extra time to prepare for this one as they were off last week, but oddly enough, they are 2-6 after byes dating to 2022. They also haven't done a great job of protecting their turf against Winnipeg lately as the Bombers have won three of their past four trips to McMahon Stadium. Overall, the Bombers have prevailed in 10 of 13 previous dates with the Stamps. To pull off a victory, it'll be important for Calgary to have the lead heading into the fourth. Since 2019, the Blue and Gold are 49-4 when leading after three quarters. Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., right, has helped Calgary to a 2-0 start this season. Jeff McIntosh / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., right, has helped Calgary to a 2-0 start this season. With the Jake Maier era being a huge flop, the Stampeders made a deal with the B.C. Lions shortly after the Grey Cup to acquire Adams Jr. While he helped Calgary start 2-0, his numbers so far are rather pedestrian as he's still searching for his first passing touchdown. He's completed 63 per cent of his passes for 803 yards and three interceptions. His stats are a tad bit misleading as he has led the team to six touchdown drives. He's also found success with his legs with 108 rushing yards and a score. The magic number for Thursday is 275 passing yards because when Adams hits that mark, his teams are 23-7. He owns a 4-3 record against the Bombers in his nine-year CFL career. Defensive end James Vaughters spent four seasons with the Stampeders and recorded 21 sacks in 57 games. Calgary decided to release the 32-year-old in January and the Bombers jumped at the chance of adding a veteran pass rusher to their D-line to complement Willie Jefferson. 'The Stampeders, as a club, gave me an opportunity when I needed it the most at one point in my career,' said Vaughters. 'More important than my emotions is the club I play for now and to be able to contribute the way I want to. For me, it's coming back to a place where I played a lot, but for our team, it's the next team we have to play. I think that's more important than anything.' Vaughters was brought to Winnipeg to take down opposing quarterbacks but is still searching for his first sack as a member of the Blue and Gold. He'll have a good chance to get it against his old pals as the Stamps have surrendered seven through three games. Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
