'You get to a breaking point': Documentary reveals Andrew Harris' off-field struggles
A new documentary recounts the previously untold story of iconic Winnipeg Blue Bomber Andrew Harris, who is getting candid about his struggles off the field for the first time.
For 18 months, a camera crew followed the four-time Grey Cup champ as he navigated his final season in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts.
Between practices and games, the documentary "Running Back Relentless" also explores Harris' struggles with childhood trauma, thoughts of self-harm, trust, and abandonment issues as he reached a breaking point in his personal life.
"I was never wanting to talk about struggles and I think as athletes, we kind of bury a lot of things," he said in an interview on CTV Morning Live Winnipeg.
"You get to a breaking point where it pushes you to an edge, where it becomes really impactful in a negative and dangerous way, and that's kind of where I was at."
The documentary is now streaming on Apple TV+ and Google Play, and will arrive on Amazon Prime Video next week.
A portion of the proceeds go to Sam's Foundation, a Manitoba organization providing resources and supports for youth mental health.
"The whole purpose of this is maybe to help somebody else, and I was in a really dark spot," he said.
"More athletes, more people need to realize that they're not alone in certain situations. It is a football story, but it's not a football documentary."
The documentary premiered as Harris is set to be honoured by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Winnipegger officially signed a one-day contract in April so he could retire as a Bomber.
At Friday's game against the B.C. Lions, a video tribute will play, honouring his legendary career. He will also sign autographs and meet fans in the tail-gate area prior to kick-off.
"I haven't enjoyed a game from a fan perspective in a really long time, so I'm really just looking forward to being in the building, shake some hands, see some people and just enjoy the environment," he said.
"It's always rocking there, and I'm looking forward to it."
- With files from CTV’s Rachel Lagacé
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
3 injured after man with knife enters Montreal-area mosque
Three men were injured after trying to subdue a man armed with a knife during afternoon prayers at a Montreal-area mosque Friday afternoon.
Police arrest 18-year-old woman who allegedly stole Porsche and ran over its owner
Police have arrested an 18-year-old woman who allegedly stole a Porsche and then ran over its owner in an incident that was captured on video.
Woman nearly shut out of mother's estate sues brother in B.C. Supreme Court – and wins
Since she was a young girl growing up in Vancouver, Ginny Lam says her mom Yat Hei Law made it very clear she favoured her son William, because he was her male heir.
Teen arrested in New Brunswick after emergency alert; 5 people in custody
A 15-year-old boy who was the subject of an emergency alert in New Brunswick has been arrested.
Kamala Harris tells Oprah any intruder to her home is 'getting shot'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday issued a warning to any potential home intruder: 'If somebody breaks in my house, they're getting shot.'
'We're still pushing hard': Search for missing Manitoba boy continues, RCMP find tracks
The search for a missing six-year-old boy in Shamattawa is continuing Friday as RCMP hope recent tips can help lead to a happy conclusion.
On the trail of the mystery woman whose company licensed exploding pagers
What Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono, 49, the Italian-Hungarian CEO and owner of Hungary-based BAC Consulting, says she hasn't done is make the exploding pagers that killed 12 people and wounded more than 2,000 in Lebanon this week.
Top Hezbollah commander among 14 killed in Israeli strike on Beirut
Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander and other senior figures in the Lebanese movement in an airstrike on Beirut on Friday, vowing to press on with a new military campaign until it is able to secure the area around the Lebanese border.
11-year-old boy dies after subway surfing in NYC
An 11-year-old boy died Monday after subway surfing in New York City. He's the fourth person to die from subway surfing in the city this year.