LIONS LOCK UP HARRIS

(Vancouver) The BC Lions Football Club announced this morning that running back Andrew Harris has signed a contract extension keeping him in orange through the 2015 season.

Harris enters his fifth year with the Lions and has never missed an appearance in his 72-game career. The Winnipeg native who became the club’s premier ball carrier midway through the 2011 season has 2,568 rushing yards on 251 career carries with 15 touchdowns.

“Andrew is a very talented running back who along with Stefan Logan, gives our offence a lot of options,” said VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono. “This is a big step in the continuing effort to build a championship team and I’m very pleased to have Andrew as a Lion for years to come.”

Last season was another solid campaign for the club’s starting tailback who fell just two yards short of the 1,000-yard mark on the ground while leading all CFL backs with 61 receptions for 513 yards. His 1,511 yards from scrimmage last year not only led the Leos, it was more than 400 yards ahead of the next player.

“British Columbia has become my home and knowing that I will continue to wear these colours and play the game I love for this organization and Lions fans across the province is an amazing feeling,” said Harris.

Lofty numbers in 2013 including top-three rankings in touchdowns, rushing yards and yards from scrimmage garnered Harris a team nomination as Most Outstanding Canadian Player for a second consecutive year.

“Andrew is an elite football player in our league and I believe his best football is still to come,” said head coach Mike Benevides. “He works extremely hard as both a ball carrier and a receiver which not only makes him a challenge for defensive players, but also adds a dimension to our offensive attack.”