He was a 1948 graduate of Pepperdine University, whereat he earned Little All America honors in football and track.
After serving in the United States Navy, he played two years in the NFL.
Bighead then played professionally for the Baltimore Colts in 1954 and the Los Angeles Rams in 1955.
He was the starter for the Rams before a career-ending leg injury.
Bighead joined the teaching and coaching staff of the Anaheim Union High School District in 1957, and worked at Western, Magnolia, and Katella high schools before retiring in 1987.