Solomon Elimimian facts for kids
Elimimian walking in a Grey Cup parade in 2011.
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| Born: | October 21, 1986 Calabar, Nigeria |
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| Career information | |
| Status | Retired |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | Linebacker |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| College | Hawaii |
| High school | Crenshaw (Los Angeles, California) |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 2008 | Buffalo Bills* |
| 2010–2011 | BC Lions |
| 2012 | Minnesota Vikings* |
| 2012 | Cleveland Browns* |
| 2012–2018 | BC Lions |
| 2019–2020 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| *Pre-season and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| CFL All-Star | 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017 |
| CFL West All-Star | 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019 |
| Career stats | |
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Solomon Elimimian (born October 21, 1986) is a retired Canadian football player. He was a talented linebacker, a key defensive position. Solomon also served as the president of the Canadian Football League Players' Association (CFLPA). He played for nine seasons with the BC Lions. In 2010, he was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie. He also won the CFL's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award and the Most Outstanding Player Award in 2014. Solomon was the first player focused only on defense to win the league's Most Outstanding Player Award. He also became the first player to win three different CFL awards in his career. He played college football for the Hawaii Warriors. He went to Crenshaw High School in South Los Angeles, California.
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Solomon's Early Life
Solomon Elimimian began playing football in the ninth grade. He attended Crenshaw High School in South Los Angeles, California.
College Football Career
Solomon played college football for the Hawaii Warriors. In his final year, he made 121 tackles and four sacks. A tackle is when a defensive player stops the player with the ball. By the end of his four years, Solomon set a school record. He had a total of 434 tackles, the most in Hawaii Warriors history.
Professional Football Journey
Starting with the Buffalo Bills
After college, Solomon joined the Buffalo Bills. This team is part of the National Football League (NFL). He played in two preseason games for them. However, he was released by the Bills in September 2009.
Joining the BC Lions (First Time)
Solomon then signed with the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL). This happened on May 19, 2010. In his first season, he played 16 games. He made 77 tackles, five sacks, and 11 special teams tackles. His amazing performance earned him the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie Award for 2010.
In the 2011 season, other CFL players voted him the league's 'hardest hitter'. He finished that season with 98 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions. An interception is when a defensive player catches a pass meant for an offensive player. Solomon and the Lions went on to win the Grey Cup that year. The Grey Cup is the championship game of the CFL.
Time in the NFL
After two great years in the CFL, Solomon signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings. This team is also in the NFL. He was released by the Vikings in August 2012.
Shortly after, he joined the Cleveland Browns practice squad. A practice squad is a group of players who train with the team. They can be called up to play if needed. He was released from the Browns' practice squad a few days later.
Returning to the BC Lions
Solomon returned to the BC Lions during the 2012 CFL season. He played in only 6 games that season and made 12 tackles. He signed a new contract with the Lions in February 2013.
In 2013, he was named Defensive Player of the Week. He made a forced fumble and an interception in a game. He ended the 2013 season with 73 tackles, 3 sacks, and 3 interceptions.
The 2014 CFL season was a record-breaking year for Solomon. He set a new CFL record for most tackles in a season with 143. He also had 5 sacks, 1 interception, and 3 fumble recoveries. A fumble recovery is when a player picks up a dropped ball. For his incredible season, he won two major awards. He received the 2014 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award. He also won the Most Outstanding Player Award. He was the first player focused only on defense to win the Most Outstanding Player Award. He was also the first player to win three different CFL awards in his career.
Solomon played in the first 7 games of the 2015 CFL season. However, he suffered a serious Achilles injury. This injury ended his season early. He finished with 44 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception.
In the 2016 season, Solomon broke the Lions' single-game tackle record. He made 14 tackles in one game. For the second time, he led the league in tackles with 129. He was named the league's Most Outstanding Defensive Player again. He signed a new contract with the Lions in December 2016.
Solomon had another amazing year in the 2017 season. He broke his own CFL record for tackles in a season. He made 144 tackles, one more than his previous record. He was named the Lions' Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
In the 2018 season, Solomon played in the first four games. He made 26 tackles. He then had wrist surgery and missed several weeks. He was officially released by the Lions in April 2019. He left the Lions as the team's all-time leader in tackles. He had 745 tackles in 118 games for the team.
Playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders
On May 9, 2019, the Saskatchewan Roughriders signed Solomon. He missed the first three games of the season. However, he still finished third in defensive tackles with 88. This was the best in the Western Division. He was named a divisional All-Star. He also forced a fumble and had four sacks. Solomon helped the Roughriders finish first in the West Division. This was their first time in a decade. He officially retired from professional football on February 9, 2021.
Solomon Elimimian was announced as a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2023. This honor came in his first year of eligibility.
Leading the CFL Players' Association
On February 7, 2020, Solomon Elimimian was elected President. He became the leader of the Canadian Football League Players' Association (CFLPA). The CFLPA is like a union for the players. He took over from Jeff Keeping.
