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The Ultimate Competitors: Inside The Harbaugh Bowl Between Jim & John

Nov 22, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Eric Smith

Editorial Director

Back in August, Jack Harbaugh stopped in town for a week to visit his son, Jim, on the eve of his first season as the Chargers Head Coach.

Jack Harbaugh, a longtime football coach, sensed something big was on the horizon for the Bolts as he noticed his son's relaxed and happy demeanor.

But he also noted a reason for Jim's success at seemingly every level of football.

"He's as competitive as anyone I've ever been around," Jack Harbaugh said before catching himself with a smile.

"Well, John and Jim actually share that competitiveness," Jack Harbaugh continued.

"They present themselves a little bit differently, but the core is each one of them is competitiveness," he added. "Every challenge, they're going to give it a shot and be relentless in pursuing that challenge. I've seen it."

The world will see the Harbaughs square off for the third time Monday night when the Chargers (7-3) host the Ravens (7-4) in primetime.

The last time the brothers were on opposing sidelines, it was Super Bowl XLVII when John's Ravens narrowly won 34-31 over Jim's 49ers.

But Jim would remain in San Francisco for just two more seasons before he went to Michigan, eventually leading his alma mater to a national title last season.

In some ways, this game has been over a decade in the making.

"Walking off the field at that Super Bowl was like 'There will be another day,'" Jim Harbaugh said while snapping his fingers. "And then, there wasn't for many years.

"Looked like that day wouldn't have a chance for another day, but by the grace of God, back in it," Harbaugh added.

For all of the buzz and hoopla around this game, the two men at the center of it have deflected the attention as much as they can this week.

For one, it's not the first time they have faced each other. This also isn't the Super Bowl, although the Week 12 battle does feature a matchup of two strong AFC teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.

Instead, both brothers have spent time praising the other and reveling in how much love and respect they have for one another.

"It's the excitement of that, of the big game," Jim Harbaugh said. "I'm sure my brother looks at it the same way I do, same way our family does, this is about the two teams.

"About those that are coaching and those that are playing," Harbaugh added. "I'm sure he doesn't want to make it about him, I don't want to make it about me. It is what it is, big game for sure. Two teams having at it."

Jim Harbaugh this week called John Harbaugh "my best friend," a sentiment his brother replicated.

"It's unique. It's never been done before and I don't know if it will happen again for a long time," John told Baltimore media members on Thursday. "It's hard to describe it. If you have a sibling you're close to, you probably understand it. You probably can put yourself in those shoes."

Monday's showdown features 16 players, coaches or staff members — including Harbaugh — who were once with Baltimore.

That group includes seven players who have now played for both Jim and John.

You want evidence of the impact the brothers have on their respective teams?

Sam Mustipher and Tony Jefferson gave nearly identical answers on the opposite side of the locker room about what they expect Monday night to be like.

"The one thing I can say about the Harbaugh Family is that they love ball, man," Mustipher said. "They all love ball.

"Just the way the talk, they both command the room and command respect, but not in a demeaning way," Mustipher added. "They just both have the power to speak life into their teams and their players and their staff."

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A few minutes later, Jefferson's remarks sounded eerily familiar.

"They're pretty similar because they both love ball. And they really love winning," Jefferson said. "That's what their mindset is.

"They're known for having hard training camps and stuff like that, but that stuff pays off later in the year. It's loving to win, loving to be a players' coach," Jefferson added. "I love both of them."

Jefferson, who joined the Chargers in June, said he sometimes gets the feeling of déjà vu in team meetings these days.

"A lot of times when [Jim] talks, it's hard not hearing his brother," Jefferson said. "Sometimes I'm just like, 'Damn.' You can just tell they're brothers. I'm happy I've got to play for both."

All eyes will be on SoFi Stadium on Monday night when the brothers likely meet up to chat pregame and for the postgame handshake.

In-between, Jack Harbaugh said he expects Jim to treat Week 12 like just another game as he looks to continue his turnaround of the Bolts.

"He sees a challenge and it seems to revitalize him," Jack Harbaugh said. "He gets a challenge and you can just see in his demeanor, 'I'm here and I'm going to compete.'

"And he's going to make it work," Jack Harbaugh added.

Jim Harbaugh is 0-2 in his career against his brother, a record that part of him surely wants to change after Monday night.

But don't let that take away from the undeniable love the brothers share for each other, even if it's put on hold for four quarters in primetime.

"He's just a great example-setter. He's a great son, he's a great husband, he's a great father and great brother," Jim said of John. "He's great at what he does. One of the most, if not the most, competitive people that I know. Learned so much from him and admire him."

Jim Harbaugh later added: "[We're] best friends. Nobody could have a better brother. I may be biased in that way, but I love my brother … and I'm proud of him."