Solomon Elimimian

Solomon Elimimian
No. 56     BC Lions
Date of birth (1986-10-21) October 21, 1986
Place of birth Calabar, Nigeria
Career information
Status Active
CFL status International
Position(s) LB
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 227 lb (103 kg)
College Hawaii
High school South Los Angeles (CA) Crenshaw
Career history
As player
2008 Buffalo Bills*
2010–2011 BC Lions
2012 Minnesota Vikings*
2012 Cleveland Browns*
2012–present BC Lions
*Pre-season and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star 2011, 2014
CFL West All-Star 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016
Career stats

Solomon Elimimian (born October 21, 1986) is a Canadian football linebacker for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie in 2010. In 2014, he won the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award and Most Outstanding Player Award. Elimimian is the first purely defensive player to win the league's Most Outstanding Player Award as well as the first player to win three different CFL awards in his career. He played college football for the Hawaii Warriors and attended Crenshaw High School in South Los Angeles, California.

Early years

Elimimian started playing football in the ninth grade at Crenshaw High School in South Los Angeles, California.[1]

College career

In his senior year with the Hawaii Warriors, Elimimian recorded 121 tackles and four sacks. By the end of his four years playing for the Warriors, Elimimian held the school’s all-time tackles record with 434 tackles.

Professional career

Buffalo Bills

Following his collegiate career, Elimimian was signed by the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League and played in two preseason games. On September 1, 2009, he was released by the Bills.

BC Lions

Elimimian signed as a free agent with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League on May 19, 2010.[2] Elimimian recorded 77 tackles, five sacks and 11 special teams tackles in only 16 games. For his impressive efforts, he finished the year by winning the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award for the 2010 CFL season. In the 2011 season Elimimian was voted as the leagues 'hardest hitter' according to a TSN annual Player Poll, voted on by more than 250 CFL players. Elimimian finished the 2011 season with 98 tackles, 4 sacks and 2 interceptions. He went on with the Lions to capture the 99th Grey Cup.

Minnesota Vikings

Following two outstanding years in the CFL Elimimian decided to sign a two-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.[3] On August 25, 2012, he was released by the Vikings.[4]

Cleveland Browns

Elimimian was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad on September 1, 2012. He was waived from the practice squad on September 3, 2012.

BC Lions

Elimimian returned to the BC Lions partway through the 2012 CFL season. He only played in 6 CFL games that season, tallying only 12 tackles. Elimimian re-signed with the Lions hours after the opening of free agency on February 15, 2013.[5] Elimimian earned Defensive player of the Week honors for Week 6 after registering a forced fumble and an interception in the Lions win over the Blue Bombers on August 5, 2013. He finished the 2013 season with 73 tackles, 3 sacks and 3 interceptions. Elimimian had a record-setting 2014 CFL season, setting a new CFL record for most tackles in a season with 143 (he was 54 tackles ahead of Bear Woods who finished in second place that season).[6] In addition to setting the tackle record, Elimimian had 5 sacks, 1 interception and 3 fumble recoveries. He won the 2014 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award and Most Outstanding Player Award. He is the first purely defensive player to win the league's Most Outstanding Player Award as well as the first player to win three different CFL awards in his career.[7][8] Just as the 2015 free agency period opened, the BC Lions announced a contract extension for Elimimian. The deal is reportedly worth $700,000 over three seasons.[9] Elimimian played in the first 7 games of the 2015 CFL season after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in mid-August.[10] He finished the season with 44 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 interception.

In Week 11 of the 2016 season Elimimian broke the Lions single game tackles record against the Argonauts when he made 14 tackles.[11] For the second time in his career Solomon Elimimian lead the league in tackles when he finished the 2016 season with 129. His accomplishments on the field were recognized when he was named the league's Most Outstanding Defensive Player for the second time in his career.[12]

References

  1. ↑ Craig, Mark (May 12, 2012). "New Vikings linebacker Elimimian hits hard, no matter his size". startribune.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  2. ↑ http://bclions.com/article/two-more-pieces-added-to-lions-defence Two more pieces added to Lions defence
  3. ↑ http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Solomon+Elimimian+latest+Lion+leave/6056657/story.html Elimimian signs with the Minnesota Vikings
  4. ↑ Craig, Mark. "No surprises as Vikings cut 15 players". Star Tribune. Retrieved 25 August 2012.
  5. ↑ http://www.timescolonist.com/sports/football/source-linebacker-solomon-elimimian-re-signs-with-the-b-c-lions-1.74882 Elimimian resigns with the BC Lions
  6. ↑ "Preview: Elimimian looks to make history at CFL Awards". cfl.ca. November 27, 2014. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Elimimian wins Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award". cfl.ca. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Un-D-niable: Elimimian makes history with MOP honour". cfl.ca. November 27, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Lions extend LBs Elimimian, Bighill". TSN.
  10. ↑ "B.C. Lions star linebacker Solomon Elimimian to undergo surgery to repair torn Achilles | Metro News". metronews.ca. Retrieved 2015-11-28.
  11. ↑ "He'll tackle anything: Adjusted total gives Elimimian a Lions team record". 2016-09-06. Retrieved 2016-09-06.
  12. ↑ http://www.cfl.ca/2016/11/24/shaw-cfl-awards-2016/#modp. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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