‘An extra layer of something to overcome’

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This article was published 02/07/2025 (274 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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.

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.

“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