Bombers linebacker Adam Bighill captures CFL top defensive player award

EDMONTON – Linebacker Adam Bighill of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was named the CFL’s top defensive player Thursday night.

The five-foot-10, 230-pound Bighill was honoured at the CFL’s awards banquet.

Voting was conducted by member of the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.

It’s the second time Bighill has won the award, claiming it also in 2015 while he was with the B.C. Lions.

Bighill, of Montesano, Wash., had 105 tackles, four sacks two interceptions and a CFL-high four forced fumbles in his first season with Winnipeg.

Bighill anchored a defence that finished tied for first in the league with 49 takeaways, second in points allowed (23.3 per game) and tied for the second-fewest yards allowed per play (6.0). The Bombers also ended the season with a turnover ratio of plus-13.

Bighill becomes the fifth Bomber to win the award and first since Jovan Johnson in 2011. He’s also the ninth player to win the honour on multiple occasions.

Hamilton linebacker Larry Dean, who also recorded 105 tackles, was the finalist.