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James Harrison Reunites With Browns Fan He Tackled in 2005

The long-awaited meeting highlighted Nathan Mallett’s 16 years of sobriety credited in part to the viral takedown.

Overview

  • The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette organized a Pittsburgh-area dinner that brought Harrison and Mallett together, sharing video that showed a cordial, respectful exchange.
  • Mallett thanked Harrison, saying the on-field slam helped jolt him toward accountability and a sustained recovery.
  • He acknowledged heavy drinking on the night of the incident and says he has remained sober for 16 years.
  • Harrison has said he intended only to restrain the intruder until police arrived; Mallett was arrested and later served a brief sentence over Super Bowl weekend.
  • The reunion was publicized ahead of Week 17’s Browns-Steelers game, with reporting noting Pittsburgh’s division-clinch scenario and Harrison’s Hall of Fame-caliber legacy.