Argos' Durie under contract through 2012

Versatile Andre Durie has job security with the Toronto Argonauts, thanks to an increase in playing time in 2009.

The running back/slotback/kick returner has signed a contract through the 2012 season, the Canadian Football League team announced Thursday.

Durie, 28, played all 18 regular-season games in 2009, topping 1,000 all-purpose yards (1,059).

He returned 43 kicks for 1,033 yards, caught two passes for 25 yards, returned a fumble for a touchdown and posted 10 special teams tackles.

"It feels great to re-sign and be an Argonaut for another three years," Durie, who joined the team in 2007, said in a statement.

"This organization believed in me at a time in my life when no one could see me playing football and gave me the chance to play football at a professional level in the city I grew up in."

Born in nearby Mississauga, Durie is one of the most productive talents to ever come out of the York University football program in Toronto.

He set single-season school records in rushing yards (1,367), scoring (96 points) and rushing touchdowns (15). 

He also set an OUA record for single-game rushing yards with 349. Durie is tied with Jim Reid on the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) single-game touchdown list with six.

"Andre is going into his fourth year and I think he is just hitting his stride," Argos general manager Adam Rita said in a statement. "I admire his courage, fortitude and ability to make plays. I'm looking for even bigger and better things from Andre as he works his way to being featured even more on offence and possibly at punt returner."

Off the field, Durie is an active contributor to The Argos Foundation's Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program, Youth Mentorship Program, minor football and various other initiatives.