Jason Bridge-Imagn Images
Former Pittsburgh Steelers star James Harrison saw a lot of things in his 15-year NFL career.
Harrison, an outside linebacker whose 6-foot frame meant many thought no chance, turned himself from an undrafted free agent to an NFL Defensive Player of the Year, two-time Super Bowl champion, five-time Pro Bowler and, perhaps, one day a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
But as it turns out, Harrison’s biggest contribution to the world may have involved a tackle that involved no other NFL players.
James Harrison Suplexed Browns Fan Who Rushed Field
By 2005, Harrison had established himself as a starting linebacker for the vaunted Steelers defense. On Christmas Eve of that year, the team was 9-5 and traveled to take on the lowly Cleveland Browns, with Pittsburgh needing a win to tighten its grasp on a playoff spot.
Early in the fourth quarter, with the Steelers running away with it 41-0, Browns fan Nathan Mallett, who had spent the entire night before drinking and celebrating his birthday with friends, rushed the field.
“I was telling people, ‘If I was out there on the field, I could get to Roethlisberger before anyone on the Browns’ defense,’” Mallett told Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, recalling the moment. “That’s when the idea got in my head.”
Mallett told his friends and even called his grandmother to let her know he’d be late for Christmas Eve dinner that evening.
Then, he went for it.
Mallett hopped over the railing and onto the field, rushing past security and toward midfield where the players were standing in confusion. He evaded security, as well as a couple of players … and then he was on the ground.
Mallett had turned his back to the one man he probably shouldn’t have done that to: Harrison. Harrison picked him up like a small child, suplexing him back to the turf in less than friendly fashion.
“Before I knew it, I was staring up at James Harrison,” Mallett said.
That Suplex Turned The Fan’s Life Around
Mallett was, of course, then taken into custody by security. They took him to jail, and he faced minor charges. However, his family found the moment more humorous than harmful.
He was sentenced to five years on probation, 250 hours of community service, court-mandated attendance to Alcoholics Anonymous classes, and a series of fines.
However, Judge Joan Synenberg also forced Mallett to spend Super Bowl weekend in jail, placing in solitary confinement that Sunday.
Pittsburgh went on to win that Super Bowl, defeating the Seattle Seahawks, 21-10.
Eventually, however, Mallett’s alcoholism worsened, costing him multiple jobs and landing him a 60-day stint in jail four years after the hit. That’s when Mallett decided to get sober.
He’s now 16 years sober. He has now been married for eight years, has a child, a home of his own, and recently reconnected with Harrison.
“I’m pretty pumped that we were able to do this,” Mallett told Harrison over dinner. “I just want to say thank you, because I think you slammed some sense into me.”
As it turns out, one of James Harrison’s biggest hits may have just saved Mallett’s life.