The Los Angeles Chargers And Baltimore Ravens competed on “Monday Night Football,” which meant we had a Harbaugh Bowl for the first time since the 2014 season. Jim Harbaugh returned to the this season as the Chargers' head coach, while John has been the Ravens' head coach since 2008.
We've seen these two face off beforewhen Jim was the head coach San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. They met in the first-ever sibling head coach battle In XLVIII, and it was John who went home as the winner.
There wasn't as much at stake on Monday night as it had been a decade ago, but Jim had a chance to get revenge on his older brother.
The two have respect and love for each other, which they have emphasized over the years both in words and by being there for each other at important moments in their lives, such as John attending Michigan's national championship game. They would do anything for each other except one thing: let them win a soccer game.
Before the game, the siblings discussed what it means to compete against each other by giving compliments and cracking a few jokes.
“I love my brother. I would give my life for my brother, but I wouldn't let him win a football game,” Jim said, smiling. “And he wouldn’t want it that way. It just feels cool. Ready to try.”
John also spoke before the match and explained why it would be difficult to face Jim considering how highly he rates him as both a person and a coach.
“Well, there are all the things we love about each other, and then there are all the things we know about each other that we have to overcome in a game like this,” John said. “He’s a great coach, he’s a great man, a great leader and he has a great football team, so that complicates it.”
When the schedule was released and they realized they would meet in Week 12, John described meeting Jim as “so meaningful.”
“We both cheer for each other, we always support each other, and yet we compete against each other.”
As expected, the brothers hugged each other on the field after Baltimore's 30-23 win.
“I just told him you are a great coach and you have a great team. And I love you,” John Harbaugh said said when asked what was said between the two. “He said, 'I love you and congratulations.'”
