CONTROVERY ERUPTS OVER ANDREW HARRIS AWARD OMMISSION

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WINNIPEG – Willie Jefferson and Mike Miller both put an asterisk beside one of their Winnipeg Blue Bombers awards on Wednesday.

The pair spoke out against voters for not selecting teammate Andrew Harris for any nominations that also go toward CFL awards.

The Winnipeg-born Harris leads the CFL in rushing with 1,380 yards, but was suspended by the league for two games this season for testing positive for a banned substance.

Jefferson was named the team’s most outstanding player and most outstanding defensive player, the latter in a unanimous vote for the defensive end.

Before a press conference, Jefferson tweeted that it was “crazy” Harris didn’t get the MOP nod.

“The reason why he didn’t get nominated was because of a circumstance …” Jefferson told reporters. “If I do win it, I’m most definitely going to share it with Andrew.”

When the Bombers announced the awards in the morning, the press release included comments from Miller, a fullback who got the nod for most outstanding Canadian and was a unanimous selection for most outstanding special-teams player.

“”It is my honour to be named the most outstanding special-teams player for the Bombers, but I feel I must speak out in support of Andrew Harris as our team’s most outstanding Canadian,” Miller said in a statement.

“Andrew is one of the true leaders on our team and one of the best players in the history of the Canadian Football League, and it is a shame he is not being recognized after such a sensational season. I will accept the Canadian nomination on Andrew’s behalf, but do so reluctantly and while completely disagreeing with his omission.”

Stanley Bryant was the unanimous choice as the Bombers’ top offensive lineman and receiver Kenny Lawler was Winnipeg’s top rookie.

Harris, 32, was suspended in late August for testing positive in July for an anabolic steroid called metandienone or methandienone, which is banned by the league and its players’ association.

Four members of the Winnipeg chapter of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea got votes, which aren’t made public.

However, FRC president Jeff Hamilton of the Winnipeg Free Press, second vice-president Darrin Bauming of TSN Radio in Winnipeg and Winnipeg Sun football reporter Ted Wyman all publicly revealed they didn’t vote for Harris because he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

O’Shea was unavailable as the team is on its bye week, but Bob Irving, the radio play-by-play voice of the Bombers on CJOB, tweeted his support for Harris.

“To set the record straight, SOME Winnipeg voters, not all, decided that Andrew Harris should be further punished for his positive drug test,” Irving wrote.

“I believe that a 2-game suspension, 2 missed game cheques and public embarrassment in July was punishment enough – I proudly voted for him.”

Hamilton, Bauming and Wyman all acknowledged Harris had a great season.

“I feel it sets a dangerous precedent if we choose to give recognition to a player’s accomplishments in a season they were banned from playing in two games or any amount of games because of a positive drug test,” Bauming said.

The trio noted the CFL doesn’t have a rule on whether failing the league’s drug policy makes a player ineligible for an award, which is the rule for some sports leagues such as the NFL.

Hamilton said the situation has created a need to have discussions about the topic.

“Nothing was done in-season, obviously, and it wasn’t the ideal time to do something to change a rule,” Hamilton said. “Those conversations will be had in the off-season with the FRC, CFL and CFL Players’ Association.”

Bryant and Jefferson were asked if the CFL needs such a policy. Both said it was up to the league and its players’ association to decide.

Harris has been the team’s best Canadian the past three seasons. He won the award for the West Division last year and in 2017, when he also claimed the honour as the league’s top Canadian.

After he was suspended, Harris spoke to reporters and said the source of “trace” amounts of the banned substance must have been from a contaminated over-the-counter men’s natural energy supplement he took.

When he returned from his suspension, he said he had sent leftovers of the supplement, which he didn’t name, away to be tested. It’s not known if those tests are completed.

Harris was asked at the time if he thought the suspension would affect voting for any awards.

“I would hope not, but people are going to do what they’re going to do,” Harris replied. “At the end of the day, I know the truth and people are going to say what they want to say or think what they want to think.”

The division award finalists will be announced Nov. 7. The CFL will honour its top performers Nov. 21 in Calgary.

(Canadian Press)

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SeeSeeRider
SeeSeeRider
5 years ago

IMO the writers did the right thing. But to put an end to controversies in future the CFL should follow suit with the NFL & rule players with failed drug tests ineligible for major awards. That Harris has set new career totals the past 2 years at an age most RB’s are declining, exceeding his high water mark established at age 25 by close to 300 yards in each of the past 2 years, has to make you wonder. That’s not to say it can’t be done. I understand why the Winnipeg writers made the decision & I can imagine… Read more »

mister winnipeg
mister winnipeg
5 years ago
Reply to  SeeSeeRider

This is a fair and even handed take.

RogerT
RogerT
5 years ago
Reply to  SeeSeeRider

It is funny to me that media nowadays revel in the opportunity to cause controversy for players and fans, but want a rule so they don’t get put in situations like this when casting a vote. Why not make your own decision! If you think he should win, vote , if not, don’t.

L F
L F
5 years ago
Reply to  SeeSeeRider

So what you are saying is any professional athlete that gets caught with a banned substance in their system is either a cheater or stupid? I agree but you expressed it a little nicer than I would have.

Sonny
Sonny
5 years ago
Reply to  SeeSeeRider

The question now is: will Harris remain defiant like Clemens, Bonds or Sosa and the like? Because that’s a sure way to destroy an entire legacy. The Astros even took away Clemens complimentary seats. He has to pay like anyone else. The moral is : Come clean and one day you’ll be forgiven.

Ted'odore
Ted'odore
5 years ago
Reply to  SeeSeeRider

Think again, it’s very possible the Winnipeg Blue Bombers led by “a highly motivated Andrew Harris/Zack Collaros along with their Blue Bomber teammates WIN” the CFL’S West Division and a coveted Grey Cup Championship title proving all their doubters wrong.

TAYLOR MOUNTAIN
TAYLOR MOUNTAIN
5 years ago

THERE IS NO CONTROVERSY. THE VOTERS DID WHAT WAS BEST FOR THE LEAGUE.

Olaf
Olaf
5 years ago

firstly, no one, including Willie J can share an award with another person. THEY DIDNT WIN IT, THEY DONT DESERVE IT AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN SHARE OUT!!! Now lets comment on the Miller comment where he says, if he wins, he will accept the award on behalf of Harris. Same thing here…….it is not Miller’s choice to accept any award on behalf of another player. It is not his right to do that, he got the award not the other person. In fact, Miller wont even get past his own team for any award so it will… Read more »

SeeSeeRider
SeeSeeRider
5 years ago
Reply to  Olaf

Accepting on behalf of Harris is a stupid thing to do. So does Harris put the trophy on his shelf with Miller’s name on it & tape his name over Miller’s? Go & get the inscription changed? Anyone he shows the trophy to can easily fact check it & find out he never won the trophy which makes him & Miller look idiotic. Get over it. You only get the nomination because the majority of eligible voters under the rules voted for you. Scheer got more of the popular vote than Trudeau but that doesn’t make him PM. What Harris… Read more »

Olaf
Olaf
5 years ago

For Harris’s team mates to come out and make a big deal out of this shows me they are about as dumb as Harris is. It is not a matter of Harris knowing or not knowing if he cheated!! He cheated!!!! Thats it!! He had drugs in his body that enhanced his performance whether he knew it or not. For that alone, he offered himself an added benefit and should not be acknowledged for it. Do others not see this ??????

L F
L F
5 years ago

The Bombers are still in the hunt for a Grey Cup. Therefore his teammates have to support him…for now. It is all part of the psychological game at this point, regardless if he was cheating or not, or deserves an MOP. No controversy, it is just that time of year.

Ickky
Ickky
5 years ago

going with the Halloween theme, cheater cheater pumpkin eater, had a wife and couldn’t keep er. I have to laugh at Harris denying it. Does he take us for fools, the guy cheated and got caught. No biggi, take your lumps and move on. If that means a MOP award, well you should have thought of that when you took the drugs. Don’t come crying now, who do you think you are, Bo Levi Michelle.