Feb 1, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (left) poses for a photo with San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh (right) and father Jack Harbaugh (second from left) , grandfather Joe Cipiti (middle) and mother Jackie Harbaugh during a press conference in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII at the New Orleans Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If you were unaware that the Super Bowl features two teams coached by a pair of brother Jim and John Harbaugh, you are incredibly lucky. You also must not have turned on a computer or TV in the past two weeks or opened a newspaper. Heck, you probably haven’t even glanced at a newspaper while waiting in line at Starbucks or CVS.

But what is a lesser known story is that this Super Bowl that pits brother against brother, also features a father versus son angle.

That’s right! It really is the Harbowl…. sick of hearing that term yet?

But anyways, returning to the story.

Jim Harbaugh, that’s the San Francisco 49er one, is avoiding talking to his eldest son leading up to this Super Bowl. The reason is that his son, Jay Harbaugh, is an intern with the Baltimore Ravens, and Jay’s uncle and Jim’s brother, John.

I know can you keep all those J names straight. Let me recap. Jack Harbuagh (I know another one and his wife’s name is Jackie) has two sons, Jim (49ers head coach) and John (Ravens head coach). Jim’s son Jay interns for the Ravens with John.

Anyways, this has forced father and son to ignore one another in the biggest weeks of their lives.

“I’m really thankful and proud at the same time that Jay is doing what he loves to do,” Jim said, via Pro Football Talk. “John being there and hiring him, I hear he’s doing a phenomenal job. This week I haven’t been talking to him or calling him or anything — sent him a few texts just to tell him how I feel but I don’t want people thinking I’m talking to him about the game. I’ve heard he’s done a great job and that means the world.”

And John is happy his nephew Jay is there.

“I’m appreciative that Jim allowed Jay to come out,” John said. “Maybe that will be our edge, maybe it’ll be Jay. He’s really good. He’s a hard-working guy and he’s excited about the game and competing.”

Jan 12, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Baltimore Ravens safety Bernard Pollard (31) during the second quarter of the AFC divisional round playoff game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Ravens won 38-35 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Early in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s AFC Championship game Bernard Pollard met Stevan Ridley in a helmet to helmet collision that left Ridley motionless on the turf. It also induced a fumble that the Baltimore Ravens recovered. And as viewers at home and the Patriots fans were worried about the well being of Ridley, the Ravens were getting a surge in momentum.

It is worth noting that helmet to helmet hits are legal on ball carriers.

“That was the turning point of the game,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said, via the Miami Herald. “That was the turning point of the football game there on the 40-yard-line. It was just a tremendous hit. It was football at its finest. It was Bernard Pollard making a great physical tackle — just as good a tackle as you’re ever going to see in football right there. That just probably turned the game around right there.”

Bernard Pollard has a reputation as the “Patriots Killer” and a quick YouTube search will bring up many videos dedicated to the heavyweight bout that is “Pollard vs Patriots.”

In 2008, Pollard hit Tom Brady and tore his ACL while he was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. When Wes Welker tore his ACL in 2010, it was also at the hands of Pollard who was now a member of the Houston Texans. And most recently Pollard’s tackle on Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in last year’s AFC Championship game, hindered him giving a 100% effort in the Super Bowl as he fought off the resulting high ankle sprain.

Pollard also was proud of his hit and tried to be clear that it wasn’t an illegal hit.

“They were good hits,” Pollard said. “The league will look at it. Nevertheless, this is how I play. If they fine me, they fine me. I can’t change my game.”

This is what we’re about,” said Pollard. “We’re about hitting and guys playing hard for four quarters.”

Do you think Pollard’s hit was clean? Let us know in the comments below!

(Rob Carr/Getty images)

As the season winds down and the teams dwindle, thoughts go to the Super Bowl and who may be there.

These thoughts have taken over most of my free time and I have finally come to a conclusion, there will be no “Clash of the Titans,” but there could be a clash of the Harbaugh’s.

These two men have changed the way grown men feel in the locker room.

The tears running down Vernon Davis’s face and the desire to please his coach are evident during this season and the playoffs. Ray Lewis has nothing but respect for his coach who has had some devastating losses, but has pulled the boys up by their boot straps and here they are today.

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The Baltimore Ravens kept a leg up in the AFC North race after defeating the San Francisco 49ers on Thanksgiving night in a battle between sibling head coaches. John edged out Jim as the Ravens charged down the field on a methodical drive that resulted in the game’s only touchdown.

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco hit tight end Dennis Pitta on an eight-yard strike that gave the Ravens the lead that they never lost on way to their 16-6, victory. The loss sends the 49ers two games back from the Green Bay Packers in the race for home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.

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