John and Jim Harbaugh reunited at midfield during pregame warmups Monday night as the Baltimore Ravens faced the Los Angeles Chargers. It marked their third matchup as NFL head coaches, the first since Super Bowl 47 in 2013 when John’s Ravens defeated Jim’s San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in New Orleans.
Their only other regular-season game came on Thanksgiving night in 2011, with the Ravens winning 16-6. Jim, after leaving the 49ers in 2014, coached Michigan for nine seasons, leading the Wolverines to a national title before joining the Chargers. Grateful for another chance to face his brother, Jim reflected on their history:
“Walking off the field at that Super Bowl felt like there’d be another day, but there wasn’t. By the grace of God, I’m back and with a team that has a chance,” he said.
The brothers exchanged warm words and photos pregame but made clear their competitive edge remained intact. “I love my brother, but I wouldn’t let him win a game,” Jim told ESPN, while John admitted coaching against his brother was “complicated,” calling Jim a “great coach, man, and leader.”
Their parents, Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, who attended their previous two matchups, spent Thanksgiving week in Florida, celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary at their daughter Joanie’s home.
