Latest news with #AdamBighill
Winnipeg Free Press
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘An extra layer of something to overcome'
CALGARY — Over an hour had passed since the Calgary Stampeders wrapped up their walkthrough practice, and yet Adam Bighill remained out on the field under a scorching hot sun to get in extra work with the team's linebackers coach. 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. Winnipeg Jets Game Days 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 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.
CTV News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Calgary Stampeders hoping pair of veterans can shore up team's linebacking
Three-time Grey Cup champ and future Hall of Famer Adam Bighill is a Calgary Stampeder after signing to the team's practice roster last week. Three-time Grey Cup champ and future Hall of Famer Adam Bighill is a Calgary Stampeder after signing to the team's practice roster last week. Stamps feel Bighill can use experience to help defence The Calgary Stampeders have been hit hard by injuries in their first three games, especially at linebacker. Marquel Lee and Gary Johnson Jr. are out long-term, so the Stamps have signed a couple of veterans to help out. Adam Bighill is a future Hall of Famer. He's a three-time Grey Cup champ and has won the CFL Most Outstanding Player award three times, too. Bighill signed a practice roster contract with the Stamps last week and says it was an easy decision. 'Calgary has a great tradition,' said the 36-year-old linebacker. 'Any time we played Calgary when I was with B.C. or Winnipeg, you knew what kind of game you were going to get. It was hard, tough-nosed football played the right way. 'This place has a great tradition, and it started a long time ago and it's still here today. That's something I really like.' Not ready yet Bighill suffered a season-ending knee injury last season when he was with the Bombers and is still recovering. But he says he's getting close to returning. 'For me, it's just slowing myself down and letting the trainers lead because I do want to get out there and do as much as I want, but, you know, (we're just making) sure we check the boxes, but I feel really close,' he said. Three-time Grey Cup champ and future Hall of Famer Adam Bighill is a Calgary Stampeder after signing to the team's practice roster last week. Three-time Grey Cup champ and future Hall of Famer Adam Bighill is a Calgary Stampeder after signing to the team's practice roster last week. Great leader With all of his experience, the Stamps feel Bighill will be able to help the team right now and when he returns to action. Bighill also feels he can help lead the way. 'Kind of that veteran leadership and what it takes to be the best, and this is what championship teams do, and this is how you think and go about your process,' he said. 'At the end of the day, I just want to lead by example and show them that I'm a guy they can count on and do it the right way all the time.' Wilson ready to go The Stamps also signed veteran linebacker Kyle Wilson who was released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats recently. He's only been at two practices but says he's ready to go and make an impact. 'I'm a good player and instinctive, (a) hard worker and hard-playing, tough and aggressive, so that's for sure what you're going to get,' he said. Tough being released Wilson says he was surprised the Ticats released him and admits this gives him even more motivation. 'Even before, I played with a chip on my shoulder, so that just really added fuel to the fire,' he said. The Stamps take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday night at McMahon Stadium in the first-ever Stampede Bowl.
CTV News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Stamps feel Bighill can use experience to help defence
Calgary Watch Three-time Grey Cup champ and future Hall of Famer Adam Bighill is a Calgary Stampeder after signing to the team's practice roster last week.
CTV News
22-06-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Stampeders sign six-time CFL all-star LB Adam Bighill to practice roster
B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. (3) gets sacked by Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Adam Bighill (4) during second half CFL action in Winnipeg Thursday, August 1, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods The Calgary Stampeders have signed linebacker Adam Bighill to their practice roster, the club announced Sunday. Bighill, 36, is a three-time winner of the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award, an eight-time West Division all-star and a six-time league all-star. The five-foot-nine, 230-pounder from Montesano, Wash., has won three Grey Cup rings – one as a member of the BC Lions and two with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. However, the 12-year veteran was released by the Bombers in January and has yet to suit up in 2025. He stated in a social media post following the release that he planned to keep playing. He began his career in 2011 with the Lions, who he spent six seasons with before playing for the NFL's New Orleans Saints in 2017. He returned to the CFL in 2018 with the Bombers, who he spent the following six seasons with. Bighill ranks sixth in CFL history with 939 defensive tackles. He also has 39 tackles for loss, 71 special-teams stops, 50 sacks, 15 interceptions including one pick-six, 11 fumble recoveries including three returned for touchdowns, 14 forced fumbles and 25 knockdowns. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2025.
Ottawa Citizen
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Calgary Stampeders add veteran linebacker Adam Bighill to CFL roster
The Calgary Stampeders have addressed their linebacking injury woes with the signing of a bigtime veteran footballer. Article content On Sunday, the Canadian Football League team brought in Adam Bighill, adding him to the practice roster. Article content Article content A veteran of 191 regular-season games and 19 post-season contests in 12 seasons in the CFL, Bighill is a three-time winner of the Most Outstanding Defensive Player award, an eight-time West Division all-star and a six-time league all-star. Article content Article content The product of Montesano, Wash., has won three Grey Cup rings — one as a member of the BC Lions and two with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Article content Article content 'It's a bummer,' the 36-year-old Bighill told the Winnipeg Sun at the time. 'The fans are great, the community is great. It supports you here. Great locker-room and great support — a lot of great stuff. It's a good team, a good organization in a lot of ways. Something like that you don't want to leave unless you have to.' Article content He did, however, with hopes another team would want him. Article content And now the Stamps do after being beset by injury at linebacker. Article content The Stamps have amassed a few key injuries in that corps, losing middle-man Marquel Lee (bicep) — a leader of the revamped unit — and outside-man Gary Johnson Jr. to the six-game injury list. Article content Article content And fellow linebacker Jacob Roberts, who started on the strong-side Saturday, was sidelined during the 20-12 loss to the Ottawa Redblacks at McMahon Stadium. Article content Bighill was injured late last CFL season and underwent knee surgery. Article content 'I realized when I got hurt it's a real possibility that a club who's already looking at ways to probably redo their roster, with heavy veterans,' Bighill told the Winnipeg Sun. 'This is an easy one for them. Whether I think or whether other people think it's a right decision or not. It's an easy one to point at and say, 'It's probably time.'' Article content But now he's time with the Stamps to prove he can still play. Article content Bighill ranks sixth in CFL history with 939 defensive tackles and has also has 39 tackles for loss, 71 special-teams stops, 50 sacks, 15 interceptions including one pick-six, 11 fumble recoveries including three returned for touchdowns, 14 forced fumbles and 25 knockdowns.
