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Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Bighill continues to embrace underdog role with new club
Adam Bighill tried — a revenge game wasn't in the cards this week. The former Winnipeg Blue Bombers and current Calgary Stampeders linebacker returned to practice earlier this week, eyeing a chance to play his old teammates when the Bombers visit McMahon Stadium on Saturday (6 p.m. CT), but the knee he tore up in last year's Labour Day Classic in Regina needs more time before returning to game action. 'It was circled on the calendar, for sure,' Bighill told the Free Press after the Stampeders' walkthrough Friday. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Calgary Stampeders linebacker Adam Bighill had Saturday's clash against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers circled on his calendar, but hopes to face his former club in the post-season. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS Calgary Stampeders linebacker Adam Bighill had Saturday's clash against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers circled on his calendar, but hopes to face his former club in the post-season. The 36-year-old's split with the Bombers last off-season wasn't on his terms. The club wasn't interested in re-signing him, and instead went with a younger option in Tony Jones, who played admirably in Bighill's absence and inked a two-year deal to become the team's permanent middle linebacker. It was evident in Bighill's tone how badly he wanted to be on the field on Saturday, the final regular-season meeting between the Bombers and Stamps, but he understands this is the most logical path to staying on the field this year. 'I think in terms of being ready, I feel like I could probably play this game,' said Bighill, who was signed to the Stamps practice roster in June. 'But we have a bye week after this, and just taking that extra little bit of time, can't argue with that probably being a smart way to do it.' If the Bombers and Stamps meet again this season, it will be in the playoffs — a thought that already has Bighill licking his chops. 'It's a long season, and my estimation is we play Winnipeg again,' he said. 'As much as you want to play a game like this, there's many more games to be played.' Bighill has logged full practice sessions for two weeks as he ramps up the volume and overall load on his rehabbed knee. He maintained he already feels like the same old Biggie — the heartbeat of Winnipeg's defence for six seasons, who helped the club to back-to-back Grey Cups, including ending a 28-year championship drought in 2019. The three-time Most Outstanding Defensive Player and future Hall-of-Famer ranks second in Bombers' franchise history with 430 tackles. 'Just not quite there. And with the bye next week — he was chomping at the bit to play,' said Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Calgary Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Calgary Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson Bighill has a better chance at returning in Week 12 after the Stampeders' bye week when Calgary hosts the Saskatchewan Roughriders. 'I had him in the office (Thursday) and just told him, 'Just keep doing what you're doing,'' Dickenson added. 'He did have a slight setback on more of a flu, which caused him a couple of days of non-practice and non-rehab the previous week, but he's close. 'I gotta be patient, and he does too. He'll be doing his part on the sideline, and when he does get to play, hopefully he's that same guy that he's been his whole career.' The 13-year pro was not only acquired because Dickenson still believes he has something in the tank, but for the leadership he brings to the locker room. Bighill said he needs to get on the field in order for his true impact to be felt. 'You just kind of pick your spots when you can help,' he said. 'I firmly believe in leading by action, and then you'll get the ears of the people around you. So, without being able to be there on the field as much, I just selectively take my spots to talk to guys and help — just provide some of that experience.' Added Dickenson: 'Here's the weird thing: the guys know him, but he hasn't played for us. You do get street cred because of what you've done, but a lot of times you get it when you actually get on the field and you show people why you're considered one of the best guys in our league's history. 'I think he's always been as smart as they come. I think he sees things before they happen. I had another guy, Alex Singleton, who almost moved too fast. He saw it so fast… and I've always thought Adam, same thing. He reads the play so fast. That can also, I think, help him, maybe if he's not running quite as well as he was in the past. Been a good addition.' It's been 11 months since his injury. Bighill said he's right on schedule for the prognosis he originally received, which was mid-August. However, he hasn't allowed his mind to wander beyond this season. This could be his last dance in the three-down loop, or perhaps he'll try to save his swan song for another year. 'I haven't thought about quitting playing football, but coming back after an injury, I think it has to be one (season) at a time,' he said. 'It's not necessarily ride off into the sunset.' Whether Bighill plays beyond this year could depend as much on his desire as it does on his performance the rest of the season. He's heard the noise. Many thought this 36-year-old with a busted knee wouldn't make it back to pro football. It's nothing new to Bighill. He's relished the chance to prove people wrong since he entered the league. 'I've always kind of had a chip on my shoulder. I've always had an underdog story,' he said. 'Despite once people kind of figured out who I was in the CFL and what I can do — I had earned a spot, if you will — I still have had a chip on my shoulder. Not gotten to the level I am and gotten comfortable, I've always had that chip still and proving people wrong. So this is just a continuance, really.' X: @jfreysam Joshua Frey-SamReporter Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
NBC Sports
03-08-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Happy 100th birthday, Marv Levy
When it comes to Marv Levy, Father Time is far from an over-officious jerk. Levy turns 100 today. A Pro Football Hall of Famer, Levy's coaching career began 74 years ago, at St. Louis Country Day School in 1951. He landed in the college ranks with Coe in 1953. He was then hired as an assistant at New Mexico in 1954. Four years later, he became the head coach. After two years, he landed as the head coach at Cal. Four years later, he became the head coach at William & Mary. He arrived in the NFL as the Eagles' kicking coach in 1969. A year later, he was hired to coach the rest of the special teams, with the Rams. A year later, he went to Washington. His final game there was Super Bowl VII, where his unit accounted for the only points in a 14-7 loss to the 17-0 Dolphins. The CFL came calling in 1973; Levy took a job as head coach of the Montreal Alouettes. Five seasons (and two Grey Cups) north of the border opened the door for Levy to become an NFL head coach, with the Chiefs. He spent 1983 out of coaching before leading the Chicago Blitz of the USFL in 1984. After another year off, Levy was hired by the Bills. Which took his coaching career to new heights. Four straight Super Bowls. A spot in Canton. He'd stay with the Bills through 1997. Nine years later, he returned as the General Manager — at the age of 81. He spent two seasons in that role. Levy ranks 26th on the all-time wins list, with a record of 143-112 in 17 seasons.
Global News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Winnipeg Blue Bombers to add colourful Tyrone Jones to Ring of Honour
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will add Tyrone Jones to their Ring of Honour posthumously. Jones, of St. Mary's, Ga. played a combined eight seasons over two tenures with Winnipeg, helping the franchise win Grey Cups in 1984 and 1990. He will be enshrined Sept. 6 during the Bombers' game versus Saskatchewan and become the 17 member of the Ring of Honour. The colourful linebacker, who died in 2008 at the age of 46 from brain cancer, remains Winnipeg's all-time leader in sacks with 98. Jones, who played collegiately at Southern University was a four-time CFL all-star and the league's top defensive player in 1985. He's also a member of Winnipeg's Hall of Fame (inducted in 1999) and Canadian Football Hall of Fame (enshrined in 2012). 0:27 Voice of the Bombers Bob Irving inducted into team's Ring of Honour Jones appeared in 151 career regular-season CFL games, recording 110 sacks, 15 interceptions, and nine fumble recoveries. He was also credited with 235 tackles as the league didn't begin recording tackles as an official statistic until partway through his career. Story continues below advertisement 'Tyrone Jones is a very deserving addition to the Winnipeg Football Club's Ring of Honour,' Bombers president/CEO Wade Miller said in a statement. 'He was an integral part of the Blue Bombers success in the 1980s and early 1990s as an exceptional defender and vocal leader. The Winnipeg Football Club is thrilled to add his name to its Ring of Honour.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Jones began his pro career with Winnipeg (1983-87) then returned two years later (1989-91). He also spent time with the NFL's Phoenix Cardinals (1988), Saskatchewan Roughriders (1992) and B.C. Lions (1993). 'I was just a baby when he played football and never got the chance to see him play,' said Tyler Livingston, one of Jones's three sons. 'The Blue Bombers, that's all I used to hear about from my dad. 'I still tell people to this day that my father is in the Hall of Fame in Canada for football so to be added to the Blue Bombers Ring of Honour makes me even more proud of him.'
Toronto Star
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Winnipeg Blue Bombers to add colourful Tyrone Jones to Ring of Honour
WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will add Tyrone Jones to their Ring of Honour posthumously. Jones, of St. Mary's, Ga. played a combined eight seasons over two tenures with Winnipeg, helping the franchise win Grey Cups in 1984 and 1990. He will be enshrined Sept. 6 during the Bombers' game versus Saskatchewan and become the 17 member of the Ring of Honour.
Winnipeg Free Press
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Blue Bombers to add colourful Tyrone Jones to Ring of Honour
WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will add Tyrone Jones to their Ring of Honour posthumously. Jones, of St. Mary's, Ga. played a combined eight seasons over two tenures with Winnipeg, helping the franchise win Grey Cups in 1984 and 1990. He will be enshrined Sept. 6 during the Bombers' game versus Saskatchewan and become the 17 member of the Ring of Honour. The colourful linebacker, who died in 2008 at the age of 46 from brain cancer, remains Winnipeg's all-time leader in sacks with 98. Jones, who played collegiately at Southern University was a four-time CFL all-star and the league's top defensive player in 1985. He's also a member of Winnipeg's Hall of Fame (inducted in 1999) and Canadian Football Hall of Fame (enshrined in 2012). Jones appeared in 151 career regular-season CFL games, recording 110 sacks, 15 interceptions, and nine fumble recoveries. He was also credited with 235 tackles as the league didn't begin recording tackles as an official statistic until partway through his career. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'Tyrone Jones is a very deserving addition to the Winnipeg Football Club's Ring of Honour,' Bombers president/CEO Wade Miller said in a statement. 'He was an integral part of the Blue Bombers success in the 1980s and early 1990s as an exceptional defender and vocal leader. The Winnipeg Football Club is thrilled to add his name to its Ring of Honour.' Jones began his pro career with Winnipeg (1983-87) then returned two years later (1989-91). He also spent time with the NFL's Phoenix Cardinals (1988), Saskatchewan Roughriders (1992) and B.C. Lions (1993). 'I was just a baby when he played football and never got the chance to see him play,' said Tyler Livingston, one of Jones's three sons. 'The Blue Bombers, that's all I used to hear about from my dad. 'I still tell people to this day that my father is in the Hall of Fame in Canada for football so to be added to the Blue Bombers Ring of Honour makes me even more proud of him.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2025.
