BCLions.com Staff

VANCOUVER -- The BC Lions Football Club officially announced this morning that linebacker Adam Bighill has signed a contract extension with the team.

Bighill, who notched 104 tackles this past year to lead the Lions, earned the nomination as the club’s Outstanding Defensive Player for 2012 and was also selected to both the West Division and CFL All-Star teams.

“Adam demonstrated in 2012 that he is one of our league’s rising stars and this is great news for fans of the BC Lions,” said vice president of football operations and GM Wally Buono. “He’s got a playmaker’s instincts and the kind of explosive quickness that makes him unique among his peers.”

In just his second season with the Lions, the Central Washington grad moved into a starting role at linebacker out of training camp and was one the club’s most consistent performers throughout the season.

In addition to equaling the team record for tackles in a game (13) on September 29th in Saskatchewan, Bighill earned Defensive Player of the Week honours on four occasions (Weeks 2, 6, 13, and 14) as well as Defensive Player of the Month kudos for October.

“I am thrilled and excited to be signing this extension,” said Bighill. “Two years ago, the Lions gave me an opportunity to play the game I love at the professional level and I’m very grateful knowing that I will remain with the Lions doing what I love to do in front of the CFL’s best fans.”   

Beyond leading the team in defensive tackles, Bighill also notched a team-high seven tackles for a loss while finishing second to Keron Williams in sacks with nine, and tied for the team lead in interceptions alongside Ryan Phillips with four. His 16 special teams tackles tied him for second with Jason Arakgi.