Published Jan 24, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated Jan 25, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Adam Bighill\u2019s last play as a Winnipeg Blue Bomber will be the linebacker blitz that sent him ass-over-teakettle and tore up his knee in the 2024 Labour Day Classic in Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n His most recent injury, though, feels closer to his heart.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The Bombers have told Bighill they won\u2019t be offering him another contract, breaking off a relationship that left both sides head-over-heels for the better part of the last seven years.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a bummer,\u201d the 36-year-old told the Winnipeg Sun. \u201cThe fans are great, the community is great. It supports you here. Great locker-room and great support \u2013 a lot of great stuff. It\u2019s a good team, a good organization in a lot of ways. Something like that you don\u2019t want to leave unless you have to.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019ll have to, with the hope another team wants him.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive columns by Ryan Stelter, Paul Friesen, Ted Wyman, Scott Billeck, Lorrie Goldstein, Warren Kinsella and others. 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Plus newsletters: Gimme Stelter for your beat on the city, The Exit Row for all your Jets news and On the Rocks for curling.Unlimited online access to Winnipeg Sun and 15 news sites with one account.Winnipeg Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Four months after surgery to repair that left knee, Bighill says he\u2019s as determined as ever to come back this year.<\/p>\n He had hoped it could be in Winnipeg, where he\u2019s settled with his family and where a potential sixth straight Grey Cup appearance would carry special significance.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not mad,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m disappointed that I won\u2019t have another opportunity to come back and play a home Grey Cup in Winnipeg, for Winnipeg. Disappointed. But I can\u2019t be mad at the scenario. It\u2019s part of the process.\u201d<\/p>\n That process, though, lacks in one area: Communication.<\/p>\n Bighill says he received no call from the Bombers through December and into January. That\u2019s when he suspected the jig might be up.<\/p>\n So the man who helped bring Winnipeg two Grey Cup titles after a 28-year drought, while claiming the CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award twice, picked up the phone and called GM Kyle Walters, just to hear it first-hand.<\/p>\n The Winnipeg Sun’s Daily Headline News<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cI called Kyle to get an answer,\u201d Bighill said. \u201cAnd I got an answer, which is good. What would have really been frustrating is if I waited around and I didn\u2019t get a call, and the whole time you\u2019re just wondering what\u2019s going on.\u201d<\/p>\n We\u2019ve heard that from other players discarded by the Bombers. It seems they\u2019re treated well, until they\u2019re no longer wanted.<\/p>\n The no-longer-wanted part, Bighill \u2013 a financial adviser when he\u2019s not chasing ball carriers \u2013 actually understands.<\/p>\n \u201cI realized when I got hurt it\u2019s a real possibility that a club who\u2019s already looking at ways to probably redo their roster, with heavy veterans, this is an easy one for them,\u201d he said. \u201cWhether I think or whether other people think it\u2019s a right decision or not. It\u2019s an easy one to point at and say, \u2018It\u2019s probably time.\u2019<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cSo I understand that from a business stance. I prepared myself for it.\u201d<\/p>\n Bighill says he called head coach Mike O\u2019Shea, too. The two have a unique bond, having played the same position and been leaders on their teams, both at a hall-of-fame level.<\/p>\n O\u2019Shea has made clear his feelings about his defensive captain more than once, calling him one of the greatest linebackers the league has ever seen.<\/p>\n But feelings don\u2019t negotiate contracts.<\/p>\n \u201cOshe tends to stay out of contract negotiations,\u201d is how Bighill put it. \u201cHe lets the front office do their part. So it doesn\u2019t really matter what he thinks or feels, to some degree, I would say. The roles and responsibilities are different.\u201d<\/p>\n Bighill\u2019s time in blue and gold wasn\u2019t all rosy.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Forced to renegotiate a three-year contract after the pandemic killed the 2020 season, he took a massive pay cut.<\/p>\n Something about that experience rings familiar today: He didn\u2019t get that call until the day before he was due an off-season bonus.<\/p>\n \u201cI took it on the chin,\u201d he said. \u201cThat was a s\u2014ty experience. I felt like I was definitely treated unfairly. The communication part \u2013 what I wanted to avoid this time was not getting left to the last second \u2026 because it\u2019s happened before.\u201d<\/p>\n What he did four years ago was put his head down and continue to work on a career that\u2019s put him in the history books.<\/p>\n \u201cWe went and won a Grey Cup. I won defensive player of the year. And earned a proper contract. And I didn\u2019t bitch about it. Kyle did respect that. The next contract looked a lot better.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Only one player in franchise history, Greg Battle, has brought down more ball-carriers than Bighill has over the last six seasons.<\/p>\n No. 4 reached No. 2 on that list last year, making his 430th career tackle while wearing the W.<\/p>\n That number will have to do.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s never what you want,\u201d Bighill said of his uncertain future. \u201cI\u2019ve been fortunate enough to play in this league for a long time with a relatively stable feeling. I\u2019m just thankful for what I\u2019ve had so far.\u201d<\/p>\n Starting Feb. 2, teams can contact pending free agents.<\/p>\n After 12 CFL seasons and a defensive MOP Award to go with each of his three Grey Cup rings, Bighill will once again be waiting for his phone to ring.<\/p>\n \u201cI would like to think that there\u2019s going to be interest out there somewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n paul.friesen@kleinmedia.ca<\/p>\n X: @friesensunmedia<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n![\"Linebacker](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0125bighillsmall-e1737764304441.jpg\")
Linebacker Adam Bighill is set to become a free agent in February. Photo by Kevin King \/Winnipeg SunArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Winnipeg](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.1.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-wsun-new.svg\"){kind=logo}
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