NFL: Har-Bowl basks in brotherly love
But this week in New Orleans has been different: never have a pair of brothers faced off for the biggest title in American sport.
One dressed sharper and the other answered questions a little shorter but John and Jim Harbaugh displayed very little tension ahead of tomorrow’s huge showdown between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens at the Louisiana Superdome.
The media focus on the so-called Har-Bowl was always going to be intense so the NFL was never going to miss the chance to maximise their publicity by bringing the pair together to draw a line under this intriguing sub-plot.
“Well, I think it’s a blessing and a curse,” said Jim, 15 months younger than 50-year-old John. “A blessing because that is my brother’s team. And, also, personally I played for the Ravens. Great respect for their organisation.
“The curse part would be the talk of two brothers playing in the Super Bowl and what that takes away from the players that are in the game. Every moment that you’re talking about myself or John, that’s less time that the players are going to be talked about.”
Given their multiple attacking threats, spearheaded by young quarterback Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco are slight favourites but are facing a Ravens outfit that has so far revelled in the low expectations placed upon them.
And for once, their coach won’t be able to claim in the pre-game team talk that his opposite number underestimates them.
“We are fiercely loyal, there’s no doubt,” said John. “We all say that. Not just of one another and we always have been. That’s definitely not ever going to change, we will continue to be fiercely loyal and protective of one another, but also of our teams.”
In attendance yesterday were the coaches’ parents, grandfather and other relatives.
“I am going to be neutral in the game,” father Jackie said. “I know one is going to win and one is going to lose, but I would really like it to end in a tie.”
And adding to the family intrigue is Jim’s son Jay, who works for his brother at Baltimore.
“I’m really, really thankful and proud at the same time that Jay is doing what he loves to do. That is a real blessing and he’s doing it with the Baltimore Ravens with a tremendous organisation.
“This week I haven’t been talking to him or calling him or anything. I’ve sent him a few texts just letting him know how I feel about him and I don’t want to give reason for people to think I’m talking to him. I’m really proud of what he’s doing, I’ve heard he’s done a great job and that means the world.”
The Harbaugh love-in was a welcome distraction from the Tuesday revelation about veteran Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis having allegedly sought assistance for an injury from a discredited company that peddles illegal performance enhancing drugs.
Lewis, in his second Super Bowl and facing into the last game of a 17-season career, has denied the allegations.
“I’ve never took what [the report] said, or did whatever I was suppose to do,” said Lewis. “I don’t need it, my team-mates don’t need it, the 49ers don’t need it. Just to entertain it, I won’t. I can’t.”
“He’s been through this so much, he’s a singularly focused individual,” John Harbaugh said. “As far as football, it’s not even a factor for us. It’s too bad it’s something that gets so much play.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
