Jim Harbaugh thought he would have many more chances to face his older brother after John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl 47.
It took nearly 12 years for that opportunity to come.
“Walking off the field at that Super Bowl was like, there will be another day. And then there wasn’t for many years and it looked like I wouldn’t have a chance for another day,” Jim Harbaugh said about Monday night’s game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens. “But by the grace of God, I’m back in it and back on a team that has a chance.”
As much as Jim Harbaugh wanted to talk about the matchup between quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Lamar Jackson on Wednesday, more than half of his 26-minute press conference focused on the relationship between the brothers, especially after the Ravens’ 34-31 win in Super Bowl 47.
“That loss was tough, but after some reflection and time, it’s my brother and best friend. I’m really proud of him and happy for his success. It was earned.”
While John Harbaugh has the second-longest tenure among current NFL coaches with 17 seasons in Baltimore, Jim stayed with San Francisco for just two more years after Super Bowl 47 before taking over as head coach at his alma mater, the University of Michigan, in 2015.
After nine seasons at Michigan and leading the Wolverines to their first national championship since 1997 last year, Jim Harbaugh was hired by the Chargers and has quickly turned the team into playoff contenders with a 7-3 record.
The two matchups between the brothers, known as the “Harbaugh Bowl” in some circles, have been significant events on the NFL schedule.
In addition to the Super Bowl, John won the first meeting on Thanksgiving Day 2011 when the Ravens beat the 49ers 16-6 in Baltimore.
Jim does have one advantage for Monday night’s game—he will have home-field advantage for the first time.
The brothers have already texted each other this week but kept the conversations focused on family rather than football, which they do even when they are not coaching against each other.
Their parents, Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, were at the first two games but will not be at SoFi Stadium for Monday night’s game. Instead, they will be at their daughter Joanie’s house in Bradenton, Florida, for Thanksgiving.
Monday also marks Jack and Jackie Harbaugh’s 63rd wedding anniversary.
Even with the coaching rivalry in the spotlight, the game is important for both teams to strengthen their playoff chances.
Los Angeles has won four games in a row and is currently in the fifth seed in the AFC. The Chargers are two games behind Kansas City in the AFC West.
Baltimore (7-4) holds the sixth seed after an 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh, which put the Ravens 1 1/2 games behind the Steelers in the AFC North.
“There’s the excitement of a big game. I’m sure my brother looks at it the same way,” Jim said. “I’m sure he doesn’t want to make it about him, and I don’t want to make it about me. We want to keep this game about the guys playing in it and be respectful of that and the game itself.”
