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.”