Ratio-breaking Canadian running back, Winnipegger Andrew Harris remains with Bombers

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have re-signed Canadian running back Andrew Harris for the 2021 season.

Harris was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

The five-foot-10, 216-pound Harris returns to the Blue Bombers for a fifth season after initially joining the team as a free agent in 2016. Harris is the reigning three-time league rushing champion after capturing the title in 2019 (1,380 yards), 2018 (1,390 yards) and 2017 (1,035).

The 33-year-old capped his 2019 season by not only helping his hometown team win the Grey Cup, but Harris was also named the game’s MVP and Most Valuable Canadian. Harris finished the 2019 season with 1,380 yards and four touchdowns along the ground, adding another 70 receptions for 529 yards and four more touchdowns.

That same year Harris missed two games due to a suspension handed down for his doping violation. Testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug cost Harris a shot at the major individual CFL awards. He was also left off the final ballot for the Lou Marsh Award given annually to Canada’s top athlete. Harris swears contamination caused the positive test.

During the 2019 season, Harris moved into sixth place on the Bombers’ all-time rushing list with 4,779 yards and into 10th place in receptions with 300. Harris also passed Ben Cahoon to become the CFL’s all-time leader in yards from scrimmage by a Canadian with 14,145 yards. And Harris moved past Normie Kwong as the all-time leader for rushing yards by a Canadian with 9,038.

A five-time CFL all-star (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018), Harris was also named the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 2017. During the 2017 season, in addition to leading the league in rushing, Harris broke the league record for receptions by a running back with 105.

Harris signed with the Blue Bombers as a free agent on February 9, 2016 after seven years with the B.C. Lions and led the blue and gold in rushing with 974 yards, third in the league.

With the Lions, he spent the 2009 season on the practice roster before becoming a regular in 2010. Harris led the CFL in yards from scrimmage in both 2012 and 2015 and was the Most Valuable Canadian in B.C.’s win over the Bombers in the 2011 Grey Cup.

Harris played his amateur football locally with the Eastman Riders and then the Grant Park Pirates and Oak Park Raiders in high school. The Winnipeg native played for the Vancouver Island Raiders of the Canadian Junior Football League, where Harris was named an All-Canadian four times.