Bighill a big-play beast for Blue

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This article was published 09/10/2018 (2641 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rarely does a player make a walk-off defensive play in football, but then again Adam Bighill is no ordinary football player.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker used his powerful mitts to strip the ball from Ottawa receiver Brad Sinopoli’s grasp and terminate the Redblacks’ push for a touchdown in overtime Friday night in the nation’s capital.

Jovan Santos-Knox swooped in to grab the loose ball, putting the cap on a dramatic 40-32 triumph for the visitors.

The monumental play by Bighill — an undersized, undrafted import whose critics were silenced years ago — might turn out to be a watershed moment in the 2018 season. The Blue Bombers, now 8-7 and alone in third place in the West Division, are riding high after three straight victories and have a golden opportunity to solidify a playoff spot when the Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-5) visit Saturday.

“In the end, when (Ottawa) needed a drive to win, we created a takeaway — Adam Bighill created a takeaway — and caused a fumble, Jovan jumps on it and we end up winning the game,” head coach Mike O’Shea said Tuesday afternoon following a two-hour practice at Investors Group Field.

“It’s a moment that was positive for us. We’ve had other times where we could have made plays and we didn’t, and the outcome hasn’t been good for us. This was one of those ones where a player made a play that changed the outcome of the game. It’s pretty neat for a defender — or an offensive guy scoring, too — but for a defender to make a play and end the game. That’s a pretty special moment.”

Bighill was a beast once again, pounding Ottawa ball carriers with seven defensive tackles. The previous week, he made nine tackles to lead a stifling Bomber defence in a shocking 30-3 triumph over the Eskimos in Edmonton.

Calgary Stampeders linebacker Alex Singleton leads the league in defensive tackles with 94, while Bighill is just three behind. Singleton has another six on special teams; Bighill has one, for 92 total tackles.

He’s been the commander-in-chief of the Bombers defensive corps since the moment he set foot inside IGF. It’s inconceivable to believe his exemplary work with the Blue and Gold was unexpected when the organization inked him to a one-year deal in May. The 29-year-old Montesano, Wash., product’s reputation precedes him.

Bighill was named the CFL’s top defensive player in 2015, following a year where he racked up a league-best 117 tackles. He’s also a four-time CFL all-star and has one Grey Cup, in 2011, which came in a win over the Bombers.

After a terrific campaign with the B.C. Lions in 2016, Bighill signed with the New Orleans Saints for the 2017 NFL season. He made the opening-day roster and appeared in three games. He was waived in May and, after a workout with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signed with the Bombers just before training camp.

The decision came with much soul-searching initially, but was definitely the right one, said Bighill, who also moved his wife, Kristina, and their children, soon-to-be three-year son Adam Jr., and 17-month-old daughter, Leah, to Manitoba.

“We’re extremely happy to be here. It’s been fun the entire time. It’s a great group of guys to work with, the guys in the locker room and the coaching staff. It’s a good atmosphere for football out here, a lot of passionate fans. From that standpoint you can’t ask for a lot more,” said Bighill, in his seventh CFL campaign.

“I know I’m going to play good football no matter where I go. But it’s about having a good cast around you and being comfortable with the people around you. At first it was playing for a guy like coach O’Shea, who was a former linebacker. Him having a linebacker mentality, I figured we’d get along really well and understand each other’s points of view.”

Bighill, listed at 5-10, 230 pounds, attended Central Washington University but went unclaimed in the NFL draft. So, B.C. came calling and signed him as a free agent in 2011. Small by NFL standards, his stature has not precluded him from having a remarkable career north of the border.

But he’s always dealt with adversity — right from infancy. Bighill was born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, undergoing five surgeries before the age of 12.

“As a kid, that’s all I knew. People would ask me what happened to my nose? What’s wrong with you? I just said I was born that way. This is me,” he said. “It wasn’t perfect for me growing up. I had confidence issues, I had things I had to work through. Luckily, I had a strong, supportive family. But not everyone has all those good breaks, and it’s tough for some kids to adapt and fit in and deal with bullying.”

Bighill said the ridicule he faced as a child was a catalyst for getting fitter and stronger, and helped stoke a competitive fire that still rages.

“I know for sure I always had a chip on my shoulder, I had something I wanted to prove, I wanted to fit in,” he said. “I had some natural skills to do things, but I quickly loved competing because I wanted to beat people to prove I’m no different than anybody else.”

Three years ago, Bighill became involved with Making Faces, a Canadian charitable organization that helps children cope with facial differences. That work has continued here in Winnipeg.

“On our last bye week, we put on a workshop for some kids out here. We had about 20 kids,” he said. “It’s something that means a lot to me. Making Faces is the perfect opportunity to get involved and be a part of working with kids that are going through what I went through growing up,” he said.

“For me, it’s about sharing my story and letting them know they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.”

Just a week shy of his 30th birthday, Bighill said it’s actually a day he’s been dreading.

“Probably the birthday I’m least looking forward to of my life, so far. Everyone says it’ll be fine, so I guess it’s OK,” he said. “I honestly feel like I’m just getting to the peak of my career were I’m playing the best football I’ve ever played and I’d like to think I’m helping the guys around me play better football.”

Winnipeg safety Taylor Loffler said there’s no question that occurs every single day.

“I always thought he was a great football player but then you find out he’s a great teammate as well. We are very fortunate to have him on this team — huge addition for us. He’s got the CFL and the NFL experience, so he brings that to the table every day,” said Loffler.

“He’s made so many big plays for us — that one in Ottawa won us the game — and I’m sure he’s going to make more of them.”

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell