‘This is a dream come true’: Trevor Harris arrives in Saskatchewan

Trevor Harris knew Saskatchewan would be a special place to be a starting quarterback.

“I remember very vividly in 2018, I played for Ottawa and they shut the lights off before they played ‘Bring ’em out.’ And everybody’s lights were off and I don’t know if they put their phone lights on or had green glowsticks or something — I have the chills thinking about it — and I remember thinking, ‘This is it. This is awesome,’ ” the veteran CFLer said Wednesday.

“This is the heartland of Canada and a place that would be really, really cool to have that environment. I told my wife in 2015 when I was playing for Toronto (Argonauts), ‘I’d like to be a quarterback for the Riders someday.’ ”

That became a reality when the Saskatchewan Roughriders inked the 36-year-old to a two-year contract on Tuesday.

“This is a dream come true and something I’ve always wanted and longed for. When you come into the league, you invite the high expectations, the pressure and those sorts of things,” Harris said Wednesday during his introductory media conference at Mosaic Stadium.

“I couldn’t be more elated to be here and I’ll never take for granted being the quarterback of this franchise.”

Home sweet home 🌾 💚 pic.twitter.com/s0yMdoDgod

— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) February 15, 2023

Harris, along with newly signed receiver Jake Wieneke, both came to Saskatchewan after spending a couple of seasons together in Montreal with the Alouettes.

It was reported that the unstable ownership situation in Montreal played a factor in both leaving.

“It’s tough to speak on past things because ultimately they don’t matter. Never was I looking to leave early on or did I expect to leave, but I’ve learned one thing in pro sports: Never assume anything,” Harris said. “As this situation unfolded and it got to the point where it was, I promised myself I would listen to other teams and see what else was out there.

“I’m thankful to God ordained the things that they did because I couldn’t be more elated to be here.”

Riders general manager Jeremy O’Day said the team is excited to have Harris on board.

“We’re not trying to put all the pressure in the world on Trevor Harris. We brought him in to be a piece of the puzzle and he’s an experienced guy that’s been through it and it’s not his first time leading a football team,” O’Day said.

Harris has played a total of 161 CFL games, completing 2,385 of 3,372 career pass attempts for 28,610 yards with 154 touchdowns and 71 interceptions. The 6-foot-3, 212-pound product of Waldo, Ohio has also rushed for 979 yards and nine touchdowns.

Harris said it was an easy decision to come to Saskatchewan, making the call on the first night of the CFL negotiating window.

“I wanted to be involved in helping recruit guys here because this isn’t a three-year project. This is something we want to come in and we want to hit the ground running and win now,” Harris said.

It was easy to get Wieneke to join Harris in coming to Saskatchewan.

“Jake talked about it early on in the process. (He said) ‘I would just love to go to Sask,’ ” Harris said. “When the opportunity presented itself for him and I to be teammates, it was one of the first calls I made.

“I feel like Jake is a Wide Receiver 1 in this league.”

Along with Wieneke, Shawn Bane Jr. and Canadian Juwan Brescacin will be new weapons in the Riders’ offence. Harris will also need to build chemistry with a few receivers who were here last here in Kian Schaffer-Baker, Brayden Lenius, Sam Emilus, Mitch Picton, Tevin Jones, Mario Alford and Jester Weah.

“I think it’s the most vital thing and most underrated things; it’s the relationships. Once you know that someone cares about you more, that’s what family is,” Harris said. “The better relationships you can build, the more you want to do for that person and the more they want to do for you.”

While he is 36, Harris said he doesn’t believe he is slowing down thanks to his routine and workouts.

“One year at a time — you never know where God has you in His plans — but to be honest with you, I don’t see an end in sight. I’ve said I feel like my best years are directly ahead of me,” Harris said.

The veteran pivot will look to lead the Riders after a disappointing 2022 for the team.

“I’ve never been in the business of promising wins. I can promise you that (the fans) will get a team that’s united, that loves one another and giving all-out effort,” Harris said.

“The goal is to make sure that this organization, this province (and) this fan base is proud of this team opening day, on Labour Day and the Banjo Bowl and, most importantly, that third Sunday in November.”