'Feels like I never left,' Andrew Harris says as he prepares to retire from CFL as Blue Bomber

Andrew Harris is leaving football as one the greatestrunning backs in CFL history. But he says that he once went from theexhilaration of winning the 2019 Grey Cup with the Winnipeg BlueBombers to the lowest he could go.

"When you're having suicidal thoughts, that's about as rock bottom as you can get," Harris told a group of local reporters onFriday.

"That's where I was at. I mean, COVID was tough on a lot of people, but I was really in that dark spot during COVID, and it wasreally tough to get out."

The Winnipegger will officially sign a contract so he can retire as a Bomber on Saturday, just before the premiere of the documentaryRunning Back Relentless,which will reveal how he got out of such a dark space.

"The trauma I've been through, the success I've been able to accomplish and a lot of things that have gone on in my life," Harris said, with his 18-month-old son, Axton, sitting on his lap.

"I just want to be able to come out and inspire and maybe help someone else that's been in a dark place that I was in.

"That was the main message. I don't want it to be a football documentary. It's a story about a football player, but I think it will relate to a lot of people and that's the kind of impact thatI'm hoping to achieve from it."

Harris, 37, credited two or three close friends for getting him through his darkest hours, but didn't name them.

He rebounded to help the Bombers win the 2021 Grey Cup when the CFL returned from cancelling the 2020 season due to COVID-19, butbitterly parted ways with Winnipeg in 2022, signing with Toronto as a free agent. The Argonauts beat the Bombers in the 2022 Grey Cupgame.

Harris began his CFL career with the B.C. Lions in 2009, then signed with the Bombers as a free agent in 2016. He's the CFL'sall-time leading Canadian rusher with 10,380 yards and 51 touchdowns.

He is just one of six players in league history to have surpassed the 10,000-yard mark. He also caught 67 passes for 5,489 yards and32 TDs.

'It feels like I never left'

After the 2023 season in Toronto, Harris reached out to Winnipeg, asking if he could officially retire as a Bomber. They approved.

"The big thing is, it feels like home," Harris said in the Bombers media room.

"It feels like I never left. Even going through this process of wanting to end my career as a Bomber, it just feltlike the right thing. It just felt like a whole new family type ofvibe to it, so I'm just excited to go through it and end it the way I did.

"It was a dream-come-true for me to become a Bomber, the memories while I was here, the growth of the team from 2016 to 2021and where the team is now. I mean, they're on top of the league, from a culture standpoint, from standings, from all-stars, fromplayers on the team, coaching. It's the standard and I really felt like being a part of that from 2016 on was a big part of mycareer."

With the Bombers, Harris won three rushing titles (2017-19) and was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian in 2017. He is sixthin Bombers career rushing with 5,402 yards. He was also selected the 2019 Grey Cup MVP and top Canadian.

Most of his career highlights came as a Bomber.

"I remember the first time coming out of the tunnel [in 2017]," he said. "I think we played Montreal here in a pre-season game. I'vegotten goosebumps and chills down my spine before, but I've never had that feeling that I did at that time I think playing againstSaskatchewan in the West Final after coming back from injury, thatwas a big one.

"Winning the Grey Cup in 2019 was probably the best moment of my life, football-wise. But honestly, in the locker room with thecharacters we've had here over the years, there are so many moments, just spending time with the guys. So many moments of just fun, greattimes, memories that will last forever, for sure."

'Never left agame with regrets'

Harris, who also won the 2011 Cup with the Lions, was asked how he wants to be remembered.

"I think the biggest thing is how I always left it on the field and played with that optimum fire in my belly," said thefive-foot-11, 202-pounder.

"I never really considered myself thebiggest, fastest, strongest, but my edge was always my effort andhow I attacked the game from a mental standpoint, and I never left agame with regrets."

Harris made sure he was ready for life after football. He is now a salesman for the Atlas Engineered Products and based out ofLondon, Ont.

"I knew I had a job and a career lined up," said Harris, whosepartner has another baby on the way. "I'm going to be comfortablefinancially and comfortable in my role, and it's also a competitiveenvironment for me."

Harris is also the head of operations for the V.I. Raiders, his junior football team, and recently joined a senior hockey team inTilsonburg, Ont.

If you or someone you know is struggling, here's where to get help:

• Canada's Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.
• Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website.
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre.

This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you're worried about.