Harbaugh Parents In a Really Tough Spot

The toughest spot at Super Bowl XLVII this year will be for former collegiate coach Jack Harbaugh and his wife Jackie who live these days in Mequon, Wis. Their two sons, Jim and John, coaches for the San Franciso 49ers and Baltimore Ravens respectively are the first two brothers ever in the history of the NFL to face each other in this championship series.

Choosing sides is something the elder Harbaughs simply would really rather not be doing.

Getting it wrong, again

It does bring me great pleasure to report that the mound of sound, radio’s Rush Limbaugh got it dead WRONG again.

Several days ago, a caller asked Rush on the EIB Network if would be neat if the two Harbaugh brothers both won in the league championship games and would face each other in the Super Bowl.

Now Rush’s true love and passions is none other than professional football. His beloved Kansas City Chiefs were no where near any playoff contention this year.

El Rushbo brushed it aside by telling the caller: “coaches don’t play the game. People will talk about this for about five minutes, then it will be on to the players and game. Its no big deal,” he stated emphatically.

Put the cigar down big boy because you are dead wrong-once more.

Major topic of discussion 

The Harbowl is the talk of the sports world. New Orleans will go nuts over this kind of story line. This could be the story for the ages. It might turn out more interesting than the game itself.

Jim was once the big time Big 10 player. He played for the University of Michigan. John played collegiately and much less gloriously at unheralded Miami of Ohio.

None of that matters anymore.

The game is still played on the field.

But, from pee wees to pros, the coaching skills truly matter. Coaches in football are king. They design the game plan, they make the calls and they make all the adjustments. Coaches in other sports might not have quite the same influence, but in football, they are everything.

Some Super Bowls have been downright boring and undramatic. I imagine this one will have all the trappings of one of the best ever. Especially because of this mano e mano brother thing.

Who is related to who?

One interesting side note. The two coaches are both brothers in law to Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean. Crean is married to their sister Joani. Previous to Indiana, he coached Marquette to prominence.

So put down the Tostadas, the Bud Lite and the nachos. I would love to be at the press conference when the two brothers finally come head to head. That’s a story line that could be one for the ages.