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The former B.C. Lions running back opens up in a documentary that he hopes will help others struggling with mental health
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Published Jun 20, 2024 • Last updated 1 day ago • 5 minute read
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Andrew Harris is the subject of a new documentary that will stream on Apple TV and Amazon Prime video starting Thursday.
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This is not a football story. And this is not a story about a football player.
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This is a human story, a story about a man. It just happens that the man’s name is Andrew Harris, and he might just be the greatest Canadian to ever play in the CFL.
Harris is known for being a four-time Grey Cup champ, an MVP and all-star, and leaves a playing legacy that will be inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame now that his retirement from football was made official in April. That’s what he’s known for. What he wants to be remembered for is something different; an inspiration. A helping hand. A life-preserver in a turbulent sea.
That’s the underlying point of the documentary film Running Back Relentless, which is set to be released on streaming services on Thursday. It will be on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and Google Play.
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“I think this is going to be relatable to a lot of people in a lot of different avenues. It’s a documentary about a football player, but it’s not a football documentary,” said the Winnipeg native, who played for the B.C. Lions, Blue Bombers and Toronto Argonauts in a 14-year career.
Harris is known for being a four-time Grey Cup champ, an MVP and all-star, and leaves a playing legacy that will be inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame now that his retirement from football was made official in April. Kevin King/Winnipeg Sun
“That’s the biggest takeaway. No matter what walk of life you’re in, everyone has challenges and struggles, and they get in these dark places, and there’s always outlets and resources and different things, but some people don’t find those things until it’s too late.
“And I was at a point where I was getting close to being too late, and I found my way out.”
For Harris, that point came in 2020, not long after winning his second Grey Cup, and first with the Blue Bombers after leaving the B.C. Lions. He’d become the all-time leader in yards from scrimmage for a Canadian earlier that season, and in the championship game became the first player to win both Grey Cup MVP and Most Outstanding Canadian.
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It was an atmosphere of elation and accolades. And he was ready to kill himself.
“It got to a scary place, man, where I was like, ‘Wow, I’m gonna take my life.’ That’s how bad it was.” he said. “I just don’t wish on anyone to feel alone like that, to feel isolated like that, to feel like they don’t have anyone they can talk to, rely on or count on because that’s exactly where I was.
“I’ve really, really come to acceptance of things I’ve gone through. I’m in a very happy place right now, but this documentary was really eye opening and therapeutic and helping me get to that point.
“I want to just inspire other people and help get them out of that, that same darkness, that same trauma, and hopefully shed some light, some hope and some light in the tunnel.”
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Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros hands off to Andrew Harris in Winnipeg 2021. Harris might just be the greatest Canadian to ever play in the CFL. Photo by John Woods /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Enter filmmaker Taylor Prestidge. He’d previously produced Wick: The Hayley Wickenheiser Story and Hi, My Name is Dicky, which chronicled NHL player Richard Clune’s mental health and substance abuse struggles, both of which were nationally acclaimed. He’d also known Harris for over a decade, having told Harris’ story in a 30-minute short for TSN in 2018 called I Shouldn’t Be Here.
Both felt Harris’ story hadn’t been fully told.
“What I’ve also learned about him is just what a resilient human being he is, not just as an athlete,” said Prestidge. “I think a lot of athletes have to deal with adversity in their lives, and that’s in many ways what makes them great. But for him, I’ve always found his story exceptionally so.
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“I just felt like his story is something that not only will be of interest to people who are sports fans, but from a human perspective, I think it’s undeniable how incredible his story is and how it can relate to almost anybody.
“He was willing to give us unbelievable access in a way that’s never really been done before. (We dove) into parts of his story that haven’t really been explored, especially a lot of things related to mental health. What you’re going to see in this film is going to be uncomfortable at times. You’re going to see resilience and perseverance and rawness and vulnerability from a pro athlete that is seldom seen.”
Harris had to walk out of the first screening in Winnipeg just five minutes in. The emotion from friends and family was overwhelming and pervasive. He managed to make it through the next one in Toronto, when he viewed it less from a perspective of vulnerability and shame, and one of acceptance and positivity.
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“When I first watched it … it’s hard to watch, because it’s your story. It’s hard to watch you being vulnerable like that,” he said. “I’ve never been a vulnerable person or one to speak about feelings and and put things out there. But I also realized how powerful this could be for someone else in a similar situation. I just accepted the film for what it is. It’s its own thing, and it is what it is. This is my story, and it’s out there. I just really kind of appreciated it for what it was. That’s when it really hit me.
“A lot of people don’t really see athletes as people. They don’t realize there’s things that go on behind the scenes that they’re dealing with. Everyone wants to criticize the ‘man in the arena,’ but you actually have to get in the arena to be the one that can criticize and actually go through what we’re going through, and understand how hard it is sometimes be the human and the athlete at the same time.”
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Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/football/cfl/andrew-harris-documentary-on-apple-tv-amazon-prime