The University of Hawaii’s all-time leading tackler Solomon Elimimian announced his retirement following a legendary career in the Canadian Football League where he will undoubtedly soon be enshrined into the CFL Hall of Fame.
Elimimian said farewell to the game in a heartfelt letter written for Canada’s TSN.
Elimimian, who starred for the B.C. Lions for nine seasons and the Saskatchewan Roughriders for his final year of 2019, finishes his career having played in 133 games, recording 833 defensive tackles, 36 special teams tackles, 33 sacks, eight interceptions, and nine forced fumbles.
In 2010, Elimimian was honored as the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie before becoming the first strictly defensive player to ever win the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player Award in 2014. Also in the trophy case for Elimimian are two Most Outstanding Defensive Player Awards and six CFL all-star nods.
In his senior year of 2008 at UH, Elimimian recorded 121 tackles and four sacks earning WAC co-defensive player of the year honors. He still holds the school’s all-time tackles record with 434.
Elimimian has served as CFL Players Association President since February of 2020 and will continue to hold that position moving forward.