The Edmonton Elks announced on Friday that defensive back Aaron Grymes signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Edmonton Elks and was named a defensive assistant and community ambassador.
“Edmonton to me means opportunity,” said Grymes. “Edmonton is the place that gave me the chance to live out my childhood dream of providing for my family through the game of football. It was the place that got me to the NFL and the avenue that allowed me to have a successful CFL career.”
“Playing for the Club meant a brotherhood to me. It meant B.O.N.E. Once an Eskimo, Always an Eskimo. It meant doing what’s best for the Club first and conducting yourself the right way. It meant excellence and winning.”
Aaron Grymes is five foot eleven and weighs 186 pounds. The 33-year-old from Seattle, Washington, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 23, 2024, and spent three weeks on the practice squad before the Blue Bombers released him on August 17, 2024.
The Elks (then Eskimos) signed Grymes as a free agent on May 29. 2013. Grymes played three seasons with the Eskimos with 101 tackles, 12 tackles on special teams, one sack, eight interceptions for 153 yards, and one touchdown in 43 games. He helped the Eskimos win the 2015 Grey Cup. In addition, he was named a CFL West All-Star and CFL All-Star in 2015.
In 2016, Grymes left the Eskimos to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles and appeared in one game while spending the rest of the season on the practice squad. In 2017, Grymes returned to the Eskimos with 88 tackles, six tackles on special teams, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 23 games.
In 2019, Grymes signed with the B.C. Lions. He made 54 tackles and one interception in 16 games. After the season was canceled in 2020, Grymes returned to Edmonton on February 6, 2021. In 2021, Grymes made 51 tackles, one tackle on special teams, and one interception in 13 games.
The following season, Grymes missed the entire 2022 season with a knee injury. In 2023, he made 51 tackles, one tackle on special teams, and one interception in 13 games. The Elks released Grymes on January 4, 2024.
Collegiately, Grymes played four seasons at Idaho (2009-12) with 246 tackles (174 solo, 72 assists), 11.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, 16 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one catch for five yards in 49 games for the Vandals.
