Oh, Jim Harbaugh, you are the guy. During a news conference on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Chargers’ head coach previewed the impending Week 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens, not without mentioning a pop group famed for its stadium anthems.
He was questioned whether having back-to-back games in primetime mattered anything. “No—nothing to make of it really,” he told reporters on Wednesday, laughing. “They are exciting, though. I prefer primetime; I’ve always thought so. It’s like — tonight’s gonna be a good night as The Black Eyed Peas — I’ve got my pals with me, and we’re going to go out and let’s make it a great night.”
The scrum responded reasonably well. Harbaugh will enter Monday night’s game as a rematch of sorts from 2013’s Super Bowl XLVII, when Jim was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and the team lost to John’s Ravens, 34-31. The game was full with drama and a blackout.
Harbaugh described the Super Bowl as a fantastic contest at the top level. This forthcoming game will be a recurring family event, and he anticipates something similar here. “I’m sure my brother looks at it the same way I do — the same way our family does,” he told me. While the Ravens (7-4) appear to be the better team on paper, the Chargers (7-3) will not go down easily. The game will also be held on Harbaugh’s parents’ wedding anniversary. However, they will be in Bradenton, Fla., with their daughter Joanie, who will be hosting Thanksgiving. Harbaugh is looking forward to competing against his older brother, whom he praises for his teaching ability and toughness. “That’s my best friend, I’m really proud of him — it was earned,” he joked.