December 9, 2016

Lions grant Bighill release to pursue opportunities down south

Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca

VANCOUVER — The BC Lions announced Friday that they have granted perrenial CFL All-Star Adam Bighill his release in order to seek opportunities south of the border.  An agreement between Bighill and the Lions opens up for his return to BC should he not seek an NFL contract by January 27th.

Should that occur, a contract through to 2018 would take effect.

“When we did the extension last year, one of the things Adam wanted to keep alive was a possible window to see what opportunities there would be in the NFL,” Lions head coach and general manager Wally Buono told the club’s website. “When we negotiated the contract we thought it was good for him, it was good for us to get what we needed. “The window starts now and he’s going to look at that.

“I can support this whole idea – players want to better what they’re doing, they want to better their lifestyle. Adam’s been a very, very good BC Lion and he wants to see if there’s an opportunity out there. I know that if there’s no opportunity out there, we have an agreement in place for him to be a BC Lion.”

 

In six seasons with the Lions, Bighill has been dominant in a BC defence that boasts both him and all-star Solomon Elimimian.  In 99 career CFL games, Bighill has racked up 489 defensive tackles, 33 QB sacks, 8 interceptions and 8 forced fumbles.

“I am grateful for the club’s understanding that as a professional football player, father and husband, I want to maximize my career potential,” Bighill said in a statement. “I want to make it very clear to our incredible fans however, that I love being a BC Lion and if nothing comes to fruition in the NFL, I will be ecstatic to return to the club.