My Most Memorable Game | Andrew Harris

Each week a Bombers player visits with Ed Tait of bluebombers.com to reminisce about a particular game, or games, that is most memorable for them in their careers in high school, college or professional careers.

Andrew Harris background:

• The future Winnipeg Football Club and Canadian Football Hall of Famer is one of the greatest homegrown players in CFL history.
• Harris is the CFL’s all-time leader in yards from scrimmage and the all-time leader in rushing yards. He ranks eighth on the CFL’s all-time rushing list.
• Even with missing two games in 2019 Harris captured his third consecutive league rushing title with 1,380 yards – becoming the first Bombers running back to accomplish the feat – while adding 70 receptions.
• Harris scored two touchdowns in the Bombers 2019 Grey Cup victory and, in so doing, was named both the game’s Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Canadian. He was also the Most Valuable Canadian in the 2011 Grey Cup.
• In 2017 Harris set a CFL record for receptions by a running back with 105 and that year was named the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian.
• A five-time CFL All-Star, Harris began his career with the B.C. Lions as a member of the practice squad in 2009, making his pro debut in 2010. He signed as a free agent with his hometown Bombers in 2016.

Harris:

“My first game starting in B.C. where I didn’t have to look over my shoulder pops out for me (September 30, 2011) I had a monster game, something like 186 yards from scrimmage and a couple of touchdowns (115 receiving, two TDs; 60 yards rushing on 11 carries).

“That was most memorable because it was kind of my coming-out party. I had an opportunity. It was ‘OK, I’m the starting running back now, I’m not just coming in to spell someone.’

“The 2019 Grey Cup was obviously memorable, too. Comparing that start in B.C. to the Grey Cup is apples and oranges – they’re both great fruits, but so different. The first start was the start of the journey and the 2019 Grey Cup was such a great way to cap the season, especially the way everything played out in the season.

“There was a certain energy before last year’s Grey Cup. I had a lot people there, even more people than I would have had at regular-season games in Winnipeg. A lot of friends and family.

“The whole week leading up to it… everyone was talking about how great Hamilton was and how we were such underdogs. It was really starting to piss me off. Coming in with such a big chip on my shoulder, I remember being in the locker room – even in the media days beforehand – and I just didn’t want to talk to anyone. I couldn’t wait to get out there and just shut everyone up and go play ball at the highest level possible. Everybody seemed to have that same energy.

“It’s funny, I have a guy working on a highlight tape for me, from all the stuff in B.C. and he told me it would be like a short movie. I can’t wait to relive those plays again. There are certain plays I have stuck in my head and will remember and I’ll enjoy going through them and looking back on them. There’s lots I know I’ve forgotten about, too. And then there’s the Winnipeg days and how I’ve appreciated coming home and how this all ended up..”