Winnipeg Blue Bombers ink all-star Adam Bighill to contract extension

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed all-star linebacker Adam Bighill to a one-year contract extension Thursday.

The 33-year-old, who has been with the Bombers since 2018,was scheduled to become a free agent next month.

He hoisted the Canadian Football League's championship trophy, the Grey Cup, over his head last month after helping Winnipeg win itssecond consecutive title with a 33-25 overtime victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The five-foot-10, 219-pound Bighill was the CFL's top defensive player last season after registering 70 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries anchoring the league's stingiest defence.

It was the third time in his CFL career that he has been named the league's outstanding defensive player. He was also named a CFL all-star last season for the sixth time.

A native ofMontesano, Wash., Bighill's professional football career was launched in 2011 with the CFL's B.C. Lions, culminating in his first Grey Cup that same season.

Bighillsigned as a free agent with B.C. after going undrafted in the 2011 NFL draft. He played five seasons with the Lions before spendinga year (2017) in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints.

He returned to the CFL by signing a one-year deal with the Bombers, who promptly re-signed him to a three-year extension at the end of the 2018 season.