Bighill ends a CFL career that includes three Grey Cups, three top defender awards

WINNIPEG — Linebacker Adam Bighill, a three-time Grey Cup champion and three-time CFL outstanding defensive player, is retiring after 13 seasons in the league.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced Monday that they signed the six-time CFL all star to a one-day contract so he could retire as a member of the club where he spent six seasons and won two championships.

The 37-year-old Bighill is sixth all-time in the CFL with 951 defensive tackles. He also had 72 special-teams tackles, 50 sacks, 15 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles and a touchdown over 199 career games with B.C., Winnipeg and Calgary.

Bighill, from Montesano, Wash., turned pro with B.C. in 2011 after playing college football with Central Washington. He helped the Lions win the Grey Cup in his rookie season.