News - A Fan's On-Field Tackle Leads to Sobriety, 20 Years Later

In what many viewed as just another moment of NFL action, the December 24, 2005, game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns became a life-altering event for one fan. During a 41-0 Steelers triumph, James Harrison, then a tenacious special-teams player, body-slammed Nathan Mallett, a Browns fan who had dashed onto the field. At the time, the fanfare around this incident drew national attention, with many seeing it as nothing more than a fan getting his comeuppance for disrupting the game. Fast forward two decades, and that singular moment has left an indelible mark on Nathan Mallett’s life. Reflecting back during a recent dinner with James Harrison in the Pittsburgh area, Mallett expressed heartfelt gratitude. "I just want to say thank you, because I think you slammed some sense into me," Mallett shared. The day of the game coincided with Mallett’s birthday, leading to excessive alcohol consumption. But it was Harrison’s decisive tackle that served as a catalyst for change, prompting Mallett to embark on a journey to sobriety. Now, 16 years sober, Mallett looks back with appreciation, noting how that pivotal moment helped steer him onto a new path. Harrison recalled the moment vividly, feeling a responsibility not to harm Mallett but to restrain him until the authorities arrived. Post-tackle, Mallett spent time in jail, with the incident serving as a wake-up call rather than just punishment. His distaste for losing to the Steelers clearly verbalized, Mallett nonetheless took the opportunity to reflect and change course. Years on, the life-saving tackle wasn't just part of Harrison's illustrious NFL career, which included a standout performance in Super Bowl XLIII, but something considerably more – a moment symbolizing positive change off the field for Nathan Mallett. Now a self-employed painter, Mallett cherishes his life with his family, echoing Harrison's sentiments about being 'blessed.' As the Browns prepare to host the Steelers once more in Week 17, the memories of that December game linger, but in Mallett’s life, they tell a story of redemption.