Argos sign Canadian star Andrew Harris
Andrew Harris is moving east.
The star Canadian running back agreed to a deal with the Toronto Argonauts, the team announced Tuesday. Terms of the agreement aren't yet known.
"(He's) the best running back in the Canadian Football League," Argos general manager Michael Clemons said. "Homegrown through junior football, he is not defined by his birth certificate but refined by our Canadian game. His will to win is only paralleled by his love of the game. Andrew is a gift, a game-changer."
The deal with Toronto apparently came together quickly Tuesday once it became clear that Harris wouldn't be returning to Winnipeg, according to TSN's Dave Naylor.
"It's a shitty part of the business," Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters said, according to John Hodge of 3DownNation. "It's impossible not to be saddened by it."
Harris, a five-time All-Star whose 9,661 rushing yards rank sixth in CFL history, jumps aboard the Argos' ship after a successful five-year run with his hometown Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The 33-year-old helped the Bombers to consecutive Grey Cup wins, memorably becoming the first player to earn both Grey Cup MVP and Outstanding Canadian honors in 2019.
Injuries limited him to seven regular-season games this past year, but he remained productive when healthy, rushing for 623 yards and three touchdowns. He added another 216 yards on the ground during the playoffs, including a critical touchdown in the West final.
In Toronto, Harris will boost an Argos offense that ranked seventh in rushing yards last season. The Argos surprisingly won the East Division title but didn't score a touchdown in their playoff loss to the rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The signing of Harris continues a busy Tuesday for the Boatmen, who also announced the signings of star defensive lineman Ja'Gared Davis and Canadian offensive lineman Justin Lawrence.
Winnipeg, meanwhile, lost yet another key member of its championship core to free agency. The team also saw receiver Kenny Lawler join the Edmonton Elks, while wideout Darvin Adams and defensive back Alden Darby jumped to the Ottawa Redblacks.