Report Card: Major Announcement As DB Retires As a Member Of The Edmonton Elks
On Friday, the Edmonton Elks revealed that defensive back Aaron Grymes has signed a one-day contract to retire with the team. Additionally, Grymes has been appointed as a defensive assistant and community ambassador.
Back where he belongs.@agrymes36 retires in Green and Gold and rejoins the EE as defensive assistant and community ambassador.
DETAILS | https://t.co/r2cVrQktkO#GoElks #AlwaysEdmonton #CFL pic.twitter.com/gSRZuf5NkW
— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) September 6, 2024
“Edmonton represents opportunity to me,” Grymes shared. “It’s where I was given the chance to fulfill my childhood dream of supporting my family through football. It’s the place that led me to the NFL and set the stage for a successful CFL career.”
“For me, playing for the Club symbolized a brotherhood. It meant B.O.N.E.: Once an Eskimo, Always an Eskimo. It was about prioritizing the team and conducting oneself with integrity, striving for excellence and victory.”
Standing at 5’11” and weighing 186 pounds, 33-year-old Aaron Grymes hails from Seattle, Washington. He signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 23, 2024, and spent three weeks on the practice squad before being released on August 17, 2024.
Grymes initially joined the Elks (formerly the Eskimos) as a free agent on May 29, 2013. During his three seasons with the team, he accumulated 101 tackles, 12 special teams tackles, one sack, eight interceptions for 153 yards, and one touchdown across 43 games, contributing to the Eskimos’ 2015 Grey Cup victory. He was also named a CFL West All-Star and CFL All-Star in 2015.
In 2016, Grymes moved to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played in one game and spent the remainder of the season on the practice squad. He returned to the Eskimos in 2017, where he recorded 88 tackles, six special teams tackles, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 23 games.
Grymes signed with the B.C. Lions in 2019, notching 54 tackles and one interception in 16 games. After the 2020 season was canceled, he rejoined Edmonton on February 6, 2021, and tallied 51 tackles, one special teams tackle, and one interception in 13 games.
He missed the 2022 season due to a knee injury but came back in 2023 with 51 tackles, one special teams tackle, and one interception in 13 games. The Elks released him on January 4, 2024.
Grymes played college football at Idaho from 2009-2012, amassing 246 tackles (174 solo, 72 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one reception for five yards in 49 games for the Vandals.