Harris savouring his second Grey Cup
Bombers RB knows such opportunities don’t come often
This is precisely what Andrew Harris envisioned when he signed with his hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2016.
He’s at the Grey Cup, wearing Blue and Gold, representing the city where he was born and raised, went to high school, and launched a glorious football career.
“It’s awesome. A dream come true,” the 32-year-old running back said. “It’s a great place to play and I’m definitely proud to be a Winnipegger. I’m just enjoying the moment and looking forward to going out and trying to get a win.”
Harris and the Bombers will face the Hamilton Tiger-cats in the Grey Cup on Sunday. It will be just his second appearance in the big game, his first coming in 2011 with the B.C. Lions, who beat the Bombers on that day.
He was named the top Canadian in that game, which was played in Vancouver, and it will always be a special memory for him.
But this Grey Cup game in Calgary is different.
“That week blew by so fast,” Harris said. “I’m definitely enjoying it a lot more this time around. You appreciate it more when you realize how hard it is to get here.”
Harris has been the most important Blue Bombers player since he signed as a free agent after six years with the Lions.
He has won three consecutive CFL rushing titles in an offence that’s built around him.
More importantly, he’s grown into a leader in the locker-room.
Now that he’s back at the Grey Cup, Harris wants to enjoy the experience.
“I’ve got some family and friends coming in, and I’m going to enjoy having them here,” he said. “But for the most part, it’s about the team and just enjoying this moment.”
His first Grey Cup experience came when he was 24. That it took eight years to get back isn’t lost on Harris.
“I was talking to a couple of guys about just how hard it is to get here, even if you have a good season and play with so many good players,” he said.
It’s hard to even imagine how much a win on Sunday will mean to Winnipeggers, Harris said. Bombers fans have been suffering for 28 seasons without a Grey Cup victory.
It’s been a trying season for Harris, who had great success on the field, but also has a cloud hanging over him due to a positive test for a performance-enhancing drug.
He was suspended for two games and he’s been carrying a chip on his shoulder ever since.
You get the sense he’d like nothing more than to make a statement in the Grey Cup game on Sunday.
“I want to get a ring on my finger and that’s all that really matters to me.”