Andrew Harris remembers ‘bittersweet’ time in Steinbach

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This article was published 20/06/2024 (308 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s clear Andrew Harris has some tough memories from his time in Steinbach.

The running back first hit the football field as a member of the Eastman Raiders in the Automobile City, but it came at a tough time in the future star’s life, with a chaotic and abusive home life colouring his experience in Steinbach.

The now-retired Harris’ story, including his life in the Southeast, is chronicled in the Running Back Relentless documentary, which will become available to the public to watch June 20.

“My time in Steinbach is kind of bittersweet,” Harris said.

“I don’t have too many great memories of being there unfortunately, but that doesn’t discount the people that were great to me. I’m able to still keep those friendships and bonds going even years later.”

As Harris and director Taylor Prestidge prepare for the film’s wide release, they have been attending premiers where invitees get a chance to see the film, including in Winnipeg April 27.

Harris doesn’t hold back anything in the film, sharing all of the ups and downs of his entire life and football career up to this point.

“The viewing in Winnipeg was tough for me,” he said.

“This whole process has been very vulnerable and therapeutic for me in a lot of ways.”

Prestidge said has known Harris for more than a decade, and even he was taken aback by how open Harris was when he sat down to film.

“I was cautiously optimistic, and (Harris) blew me away in terms of his willingness to open up and talk about things that aren’t easy for people to talk about,” Prestidge said.

“It wasn’t really like a journalist sitting down to do a hard-hitting thing, he’s a friend first and foremost.”

The documentary touches on the racism, addiction, family violence and depression Harris had to battle throughout his life.

“This whole process and the whole point of this is to try to help someone else that may be in a similar situation and give them hope and light at the end of the tunnel,” Harris said.

“Throughout my career there was lots of great moments, but some really dark ones as well.”

Harris said those traumas have defined who he is as a person now, but are tough to reckon with.

“A lot of people have gone through things, a lot of people have a hard time getting out of them and dealing with it,” Harris said.

“I just wanted to be able to inspire and shed some light on getting out of a tough spot and a tough situation and finding some happiness at the end of it.”

Harris and Prestidge have gotten positive reactions from small screenings, but are looking forward to the wider release.

“I think it’s going to shock people,” Prestidge said.

“The feedback I got after the screening in Winnipeg is, ‘that is not what I expected at all, but I loved it.’ I don’t think, I know there has never been anything done like this in the history of the league.”

The documentary’s tone was set out in an early pre-production meeting both Harris and Prestidge remembered, as Harris set out what he wanted the film to look like.

“It’s a story about a football player, but I don’t want it to be a football documentary,” Harris recalled saying in the meeting.

“The big thing for me was being relatable to people other than just athletes. I think this story tells that.”

Sharp-eyed viewers should be able to recognize some Southeast locations in the film, as an extended sequence of Harris snowmobiling near La Broquerie is featured prominently in the film. The crew also visits Harris’ childhood home in Steinbach.

Prestidge was also quick to point out a flaw with Steinbach as a filming location.

“It’s the only town I’ve ever shot in that doesn’t have the name of the town on their water tower,” he said, laughing.

“We went to go do an establishing shot outside the water tower for the scene in Steinbach — there’s no name on it.”

Harris is now settling into the life of a retired football player, sharing he’s looking forward to a summer filled with camping with his young family and learning how to golf.

When winter comes around, he’ll be playing intermediate senior hockey, looking to fill his competitive itch. Harris was an outstanding hockey player for the Eastman Selects before moving to football full-time in high school. Prestidge was even the one who encouraged Harris to start playing competitive senior hockey.

“My cameo in the movie, other than the fact you hear my voice a few times, in the end credits the goalie he scores on is me,” Prestidge said, laughing.

“And for the record, I let him score that.”

Running Back Relentless will be available to watch on Apple TV beginning June 20.

“I’m looking forward to it be out there for everyone to see and take in,” Harris said.

“I already know it’s impacted certain people who have seen it. My goal is just to make sure it keeps impacting lives across the board and helping someone out of a tough spot.”