The Canadian star Running Back has agreed to a deal with the Toronto Argonauts, the team announced Tuesday. The terms of the Agreement are not yet known.
“He’s the best running back in the Canadian Football League,” General Manager Michael Clemons said. “He became a native of junior football and is not defined by his birth certificate, but refined by our Canadian game. His will to win is accompanied only by his love of the game. Andrew is a gift, a game changer.”
The deal with Toronto was apparently reached quickly on Tuesday, when it became clear Harris would not be returning to Winnipeg, according to TSN’s Dave Naylor.
“It’s a shitty part of the business,” sapphire Bombers general manager Kyle Walters said, according to 3DownNation’s John Hodge. “It’s impossible not to be sad.”
Harris, a five-time All-Star whose 9,661 Rushing Yards rank sixth in CFL history, is jumping aboard the Argos ship after a successful five-year run with his hometown Winnipeg sapphire Bombers. The 33-year-old helped the Bombers to back-to-back Grey Cup wins and was the first player to receive both the Grey Cup MVP and Outstanding Canadian honours.
Health issue limited him to seven regular-season games last year, but he remained productive when healthy, rushing for 623 yards and three touchdowns. He added an additional 216 rushing yards during the playoffs, including a critical touchdown in the West Final.
In Toronto, Harris will bolster an Argos offense that took seventh place in Rushing Yards last season. The Argos surprisingly won the East Division title, but didn’t score a touchdown in their playoff loss to rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Harris’ signing continues on 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 another important member of its championship core to free agency. The team also saw wide receiver Kenny Lawler traded to the Edmonton Elks, while Wideout Darvin Adams and defensive back Alden Darby jumped to the Ottawa Redblacks.