Ottawa Redblacks’ receiver RJ Harris has retired from the CFL after five seasons with the team.
“After over 20 years, I have finally come to the decision to step away from the game,” Harris said in a team statement. “From starting as a defensive end with the one-bar face mask in youth league, to an eight-year professional career in both the NFL and CFL, I can honestly say I lived my dream. It’s truly been a blessing and an honor to have had the opportunity to play at the highest level possible.”
Following his collegiate career with the University of New Hampshire, Harris spent time with New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, B.C. Lions, Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers without cracking an active roster. He signed with Ottawa in July of 2017 and spent a season on the practice roster, before making his debut the next year.
The six-foot, 194-pound dressed for 16 games in 2018, hauling in 49 receptions for 697 yards and two touchdowns as the Redblacks made it to the Grey Cup. He would set a career-high with 62 receptions for 774 yards and two touchdowns the next season, before seeing his production decline.
The 30-year-old played just five games in 2022, catching 17 passes for 175 yards. In 49 career, Harris posted 174 receptions for 2,241 yards and four touchdowns.
“To the Ottawa Redblacks, I can’t even put into words what the organization has done for my family and I. You accepted us as one of your own and genuinely cared and supported me and my family,” Harris continued his statement.
“I just want people to remember me as a hard worker who showed up every day and left it all out there.”
