Harris takes home Most Outstanding Canadian honour

CFL.ca Staff

OTTAWA — Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Andrew Harris was named the Most Outstanding Canadian at the Shaw CFL Awards on Thursday night.

Harris made 189 carries, leading the league in rushing yards with 1,035 and yards from scrimmage with 1,892.

This season Harris threatened to become the first player in CFL history to record 1,000 rushing and receiving yards. Despite falling short of the milestone Harris set a new running back record of 105 receptions, breaking Craig Ellis’ record (102) set in 1985.

The tailback became the first player in CFL history to rush for 1,000 yards and 850+ receiving yards in a single season.

Harris played a big role in Winnipeg hosting their first playoff game at Investors Group Field, their first home playoff date since 2011.

In his eight years in the league Harris has amassed 6,268 rushing yards, 4,127 receiving yards and 60 total touchdowns.

After he thanked the Wally Buono and the BC Lions organization for giving him a chance during his acceptance speech on the stage in the Shaw Centre in downtown Ottawa, Harris told members of the media that it was the people who doubted him that made winning that much sweeter.

“I’ve always been told I was too slow, too Canadian, didn’t go to a big school and so to be here, standing here right now, it’s a big accomplishment and definitely something I’m proud of,” Harris said after accepting his award. “I also want to thank the doubters and the haters because that’s my motivation. That’s what keeps you going so it’s definitely a big accomplishment but some of those negative things definitely keep you inspired and wanting to keep moving forward when things aren’t going great.”

The last Blue Bomber to take home the Most Outstanding Canadian Award was Doug Brown in 2001.

The running back received 74 first-place votes and Ottawa REDBLACKS Brad Sinopoli was runner up.

Follow CFL