It says a lot about an organization and a player when they both want to see a player retire as their player and their team.

Some may assume that this is simply routine. It may be thought that a mainstay player always retires with the club that they made an impact on; even if they have to sign a one-day contract to do so. But that is not the case. In fact, one need not look too far into the Bombers’ past to illustrate this point.

Matt Nichols. Sure, I would not put him up their in the category of super elite, but he did bring stability to the Bombers’ quarterback position.

Straight from Wikipedia, you can see the Bombers had a revolving door at the quarterback position. Yet, he did not retire as a Bomber. So, Bighill retiring a Bomber actually means something. Especially, when you consider that he still wanted to play professional football in 2025, and the Bombers were not going to re-sign him.

That had Bighill sign with Calgary so that he could keep playing. Some players would be jaded by that. They would shake the dust off their feet and have a bitter taste in their mouth. But not Adam. He went to Calgary to play, and chose to come back to Winnipeg and retire as a Bomber.

For those not familiar with Bighill’s career, he broke into the league and played 6 seasons with the BC Lions (only 1 season less than he was a Bomber). That was 2011. Do you recall who played in that Grey Cup? Well, before I mention that, I will say that they game was played in BC. In the CFL the host city is chosen before the season starts; but in the case of 2011 it was the BC Lions vs. the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

I have to tell you, I did not like Bighill back then! In that Grey Cup game, which the Lions would win 34-23, Bighill made some big plays! Yes, he also won 2 Grey Cups with Winnipeg in 2019 and 2021, but Adam could have easily decided to retire as a BC Lion. Bighill was a menacing player. He helped control the line of scrimmage and was a force to be reconned with. Right here you can see an example of that.

While his performance was not always evident on the stats sheet, anyone who watched him play knew his ability to disrupt an offense.

There is a saying in sports that availability is the best ability. When you look at Adam’s career he was certainly available most of the time.

So why did he decide to retire a Bomber? This probably says it all right here:

But if you want to hear more from Bighill, here is what he also said, ““We won two championships here, went to the Grey Cup five years in a row,” he said. “My family really grew up as Blue Bombers fans. It’s the most fun I had playing professional football here. It’s a first-class organization and the guys I’m around. It was, for me and where I’m at, a no brainer. I’m happy to say that and that’s no discredit to B.C. They gave me an opportunity and there were so many amazing things we did out there and so many amazing fans in B.C. that still follow me. I’m so thankful and will love them forever.

“… Just because I didn’t retire for them doesn’t mean I don’t have any respect for them. That’s not the case at all. It’s even more credit to Winnipeg and the impact they had on me and my family in my team here.” (source)

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