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James Harrison Reunites With Browns Fan He Tackled in 2005 Ahead of Week 17

A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette dinner recast the viral moment as a catalyst for the fan’s long-term sobriety.

Overview

  • The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette organized a reunion dinner in the Pittsburgh area between James Harrison and Nathan Mallett nearly 20 years after the on-field incident.
  • Post-Gazette Sports shared video of the cordial meeting as the Browns and Steelers prepare to play Sunday in Week 17.
  • Mallett thanked Harrison, saying “you slammed some sense into me,” and credited the encounter and its fallout with helping launch roughly 16 years of sobriety.
  • Mallett said he had been heavily drinking on his birthday before running onto the field, and Harrison said he only intended to hold him until police arrived.
  • After the 2005 tackle, Mallett was arrested and later spent Super Bowl weekend in jail, a consequence he now describes as part of his turning point.