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Bighill ends a CFL career that includes three Grey Cups, three top defender awards

Bighill ends a CFL career that includes three Grey Cups, three top defender awards | iNFOnews.ca
B.C. Lions' James Butler (20) is tackled by Calgary Stampeders' Adam Bighill, bottom left, as he carries the ball during the second half of the CFL western semifinal football game, in Vancouver, on Saturday, November 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

WINNIPEG — Linebacker Adam Bighill, a three-time Grey Cup champion and three-time CFL outstanding defensive player, is retiring after 13 seasons in the league.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced Monday that they signed the six-time CFL all star to a one-day contract so he could retire as a member of the club where he spent six seasons and won two championships.

The 37-year-old Bighill is sixth all-time in the CFL with 951 defensive tackles. He also had 72 special-teams tackles, 50 sacks, 15 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles and a touchdown over 199 career games with B.C., Winnipeg and Calgary.

Bighill, from Montesano, Wash., turned pro with B.C. in 2011 after playing college football with Central Washington. He helped the Lions win the Grey Cup in his rookie season.

He won his first outstanding defensive player with the Lions in 2015 when he had a career-high 121 defensive tackles.

After a stint with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints in 2017, Bighill joined the Blue Bombers in 2018 and won his second outstanding defensive player award that season.

He helped the Bombers win Grey Cup titles in 2019 and 2021, winning his third top defender award in the latter season.

Bighill, who lives in Winnipeg with his family, ranks second all-time in Bombers history with 430 defensive tackles, behind Greg Battle (587).

The Bombers said Bighill is expected to speak at a press conference Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 20, 2026.

Bighill ends a CFL career that includes three Grey Cups, three top defender awards | iNFOnews.ca
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Adam Bighill (4) runs the ball in for the touchdown after Edmonton Elks quarterback Tre Ford (2) fumbled during first half CFL action in Winnipeg, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Bighill ends a CFL career that includes three Grey Cups, three top defender awards | iNFOnews.ca
Injured Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill watches on the sidelines during practice in Hamilton, Ont., Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. Winnipeg Blue Bombers will play the Montreal Alouettes in the 110th Grey Cup on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

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The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.

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