Argos RB Andrew Harris on leaving Winnipeg, legacy, and new beginnings

By Sarah Said

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Andrew Harris cannot get his mind off one thing: winning another Grey Cup. 

“Four is better than three,” he laughed. “And once you win one, you get that taste for it, it's addicting.”

This addiction was immediately apparent throughout our conversations. At almost all of my questions, the Toronto Argonauts running back would include a mention — even if slight — of his main objective. 

“That's what you have to do with goals, you know, you have to have that in your mind,” he said.

Harris is no stranger to checking big goals off his career to-do list. In his more than 10 years playing in the CFL, he’s been a five-time CFL All-Star, a six-time West Division All-Star, a three-time CFL Most Outstanding Canadian, a three-time B.C. Most Outstanding Canadian, a three-time Winnipeg Most Outstanding Canadian, a two-time West Division Most Outstanding Canadian, won three Grey Cups, and was crowned 2019 Grey Cup MVP. 

Now, he’s looking to check another milestone off his list: 10,000 rushing yards — he is currently at 9,886.

“It’s something I'm definitely proud of,” he said. “Being a triple threat with rushing, receiving, and pass blocking.”

Still, these accomplishments and subsequent accolades didn’t always come easy. For Harris, unexpected challenges and varying criticisms were recurrent throughout his journey.   

“My story in life has been something I always have to work for,” he said. 

From being told he couldn't play running back as a young athlete, to now being told he’s too old to play at 35 years old and has too many injuries, Harris has heard it all. But he says that sort of negativity doesn’t sway his attitude toward success. 

“That's kind of where this chip builds from,” said Harris. “Because before, I was too Canadian or too slow. There have always been naysayers, doubters, and haters so to speak — I just like to prove them wrong.”

That said, during the pandemic, Harris was totally transparent and opened up publicly about his struggles with mental health that came following both personal and professional obstacles.  

“I had a lot of different things going on in 2020 to 2021 leading up to this season,” he said. “It was very distracting and I wasn't in the right mind.” 

And in this period, he even seriously considered retirement.

 “After the season was done, I was contemplating if I was still wanting to play again.”

That was the third time he’s ever thought of leaving football for good. 

“When I was done in B.C., I was thinking about retiring and then went to Winnipeg and was thinking of retiring after 2019. And in the COVID season, I was like, ‘Okay, it’s time to move on.’”

But, ultimately Harris didn’t pull the trigger — or better — fumble the ball.

“I put on some film and watched myself or games and saw that fire in my belly. And I was like, I still have the desire and passion for this game and still have more to give.” 

Still, Harris didn’t fully expect his career to play out the way it has so far, particularly when it came to the team he thought he’d be a part of until the end. As one of Manitoba’s most recognized and successful athletes, who played six seasons with the reigning two-time champions, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Harris infamously felt as though he wasn’t being appreciated by the Blue and Gold franchise. And because of it, he left. 

“Sometimes you just gotta roll with the punches and accept your reality,” he said. “Not accept it in a way where you have to succumb as if it's a negative thing, but take it as it comes in and just be blessed to have an opportunity to do something else.” 

And to him, Toronto felt like the right move. 

“Coming out here, it was a nice little reset,” he said. “Getting away from some of the things in Winnipeg to a new team and that's a positive, uplifting feeling to get a fresh start.”

Harris says he truly believed he’d end up retiring in his hometown, but now that things have changed, he’s ready for another chapter in his legacy. 

“Coming to Toronto now, my biggest thing was getting to know my teammates and creating a winning culture.”

And when I asked for his thoughts on the ongoing (and often controversial) conversation surrounding the Argos’ challenges with increasing game attendance and the team’s decline in bringing in a new generation of fans, he mentioned his drive to raise the bar. 

“I mean, part of me takes that as like, ‘Okay, well, we gotta get the Argos more popular,” he said. “So, let's make sure we put on a good show on game days because this is a great organization.”

But even with collecting more championship rings on his mind, Harris says gratitude is what did and continues to play a huge part in his renewed sense of hope and determination.

“There are a lot of people that wish they were in my shoes and if I take it for granted, I feel like I'm not doing myself justice.”

Harris often reiterated that for him, it's not a one-man show. 

“I wouldn't be where I'm at without great people around me. I've had great coaches, teammates, and support from friends and family,” he said. “There are a lot of people that are a part of this legacy piece and this milestone that were unsung heroes.”

One of those people is his 14-year-old daughter, Hazel. According to him, she is a big mental piece when it comes to helping him get going every day. 

When asked what the younger version of himself would think if he could see how far he’s come as a person, as a father, and as a player, he said he’s sure he’d be proud of how much adversity he’s overcome. 

“I would tell little Andrew it’s not done yet, we're still going to ride this out,” he said. “I actually have a little boy on the way, so little Andrew is coming and I’ll be able to talk to him face-to-face and lead by example.”

And his baby boy’s due date is none other than the day Harris has been laser-focused on — November 20, 2022 – the day of the 2022 Grey Cup. 

“I think we're gonna have the baby here in Toronto,” he said. “We'll just kind of deduce our plan before the Grey Cup if we're in that situation. Hopefully, we are but that's kind of down the road, so we’re still planning.” 

And until then, Harris says he plans on remaining relentless toward his target. 

“To say I played at home and then the two best cities in Canada is pretty special. So hopefully, I can win Grey Cups because, you know, that's the goal,” he said. 

“At the end of the day, it's all about that ring.”