Mike Chappell

IndyStar

Marvin Harrison is adamant he did the right thing when he helped a stranger in distress early Saturday morning in Philadelphia, and the former Indianapolis Colts standout receiver would do it again even though his involvement resulted in a wave of negative publicity.

"I didn't do anything but drive my car, pick a guy up and call 911," Harrison told The Star on Monday in a telephone interview. "I just happened to be in the right place at the right time for this person.

"The unfortunate part is things are coming out negative. I had nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing to do with it. I was just driving, minding my own business.''

Judeau Brown agreed, and is appreciative Harrison chose to stop and offer a helping hand after two intruders broke into his Wynnefield Heights apartment.

"People are trying to get a (negative) story off his name, but it wasn't really about him," Brown told The Star. "He was just helping me out at the right time.

"I've called him and told him how grateful I am, that he actually stopped and helped me out. He acted when I needed him. In my eyes, he really saved my life."

Brown, 38 and a personal trainer, told Philadelphia police that two masked men dressed in black entered the back of his apartment at approximately 3:20 Saturday morning. Brown, barefoot and in his underwear, dashed out the front door and looked for help.

The only vehicle on the street was Harrison's white Ford F-350 pickup. Brown tried to get Harrison's attention.

"I didn't know what in the hell was going on," Harrison said. "I didn't know why this guy was running alongside my car."

Brown added: "I'm trying to flag him down, asking him for help. The gentleman inside was reluctant to stop for me. He was like, 'I don't know you, man. What's going on?' I was like 'Yo, these guys just broke into my house. Please, I need help.' "

Harrison allowed Brown to jump in the bed of his pickup and dialed 911.

However, things escalated when the two alleged intruders emerged from Brown's apartment. They pursued Brown and Harrison and one of the men fired two shots at Harrison's vehicle.

A bullet hit one of Harrison's tires. Harrison agreed to provide the tire to police.

Harrison and Brown gave statements to police. That's the first time Brown realized who had helped him.

"When the officer was taking the report, he had (Harrison's) name down on the paper," he said. "She asked me, 'You know who this guy is?' I told her, 'The name sounds familiar. He played football, right?'

"I'm grateful that even though he was a little hesitant initially, he acted and helped me out."

Harrison played 13 years for the Colts and is in the top 10 in NFL history in receptions (1,102, 3rd), receiving touchdowns (128, 5th) and receiving yards (14,580, 7th).

The incident spurred negative reaction due to Harrison's connection to an April 2008 shooting outside Playmakers, a North Philadelphia bar he owns. The individual, Dwight Dixon, was shot with a gun belonging to Harrison, according to a police investigation. Dixon, was shot again in 2009 and died from his wounds.

Harrison was not charged with a crime and was not questioned in connection with Dixon's death.

Harrison was incredulous his decision to assist Brown caused any degree of backlash.

"I was getting negative phone calls and I didn't know what anyone was talking about," he said. "The only thing I can tell you is when these negative reports came out on Sunday, the first thing that came to my mind is the next time something like this happens, I'll just put my head down and keep on going.

"Then I woke up Monday morning and (thought), 'I don't care what anybody says. If it happens 10 more times I'm going to do the same thing.' "

Call Star reporter Mike Chappell at (317) 444-6830. You can follow him on Twitter at @mchappell51.