'I took it personal': Argos' Harris set to face old team as Bombers visit Toronto

Andrew Harris has always played with a chip on his shoulder.

The Toronto Argonauts star running back did his best to keep that motivation in check leading up to the first game against his former team.

But there's little doubt it will grow exponentially every time Harris touches the ball when facing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-0) at BMO Field on Monday.

"I'm trying to focus on it being another game and not build it up too, too much," Harris told The Canadian Press in a phone interview. "Once I see my old teammates, I'll get a little more fired up. But right now, I'm just locked in on helping Toronto win.

"I don't want to get too emotional."

Harris signed with Toronto (1-1) as a free agent after he felt disrespected by Winnipeg management when the CFL club signed fellow Canadian running backs Brady Oliveira and Johnny Augustine ahead of dealing with the three-time Grey Cup champion.

"I just wanted clarity," said Harris, who added he never did get an explanation. "I'm a big boy and I understand they've got two younger guys who are very capable.

"This business is a tough one."

The situation raised eyebrows — at least from the outside — considering Harris helped the Bombers win consecutive titles in 2019 and 2021.

In five years with his hometown club, the five-foot-10, 202-pound back became just the fifth player in CFL history to surpass 15,000 yards from scrimmage and is only 225 yards shy of becoming the sixth CFL rusher to reach the 10,000.

"At the time, I took it personal and was real mad," said Harris, 35. "But that ship has sailed and I'm happy to be a part of the Toronto Argonauts organization."

Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie expects Harris to play like he's been shot out of cannon Monday.

"He'll be fired