Fansided
Fansided

The 5 greatest NFL storylines going into a Super Bowl ever

By Erik Lambert

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens (L) and head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers speak during warm ups prior to Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 03: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens (L) and head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers speak during warm ups prior to Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 03: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens (L) and head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers speak during warm ups prior to Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – FEBRUARY 03: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens (L) and head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers speak during warm ups prior to Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on February 3, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

04: The Har-Bowl

Family has always had a strong presence in the NFL going back to its first inception. Many of the franchises in the league are still family owned. There have been fathers, sons, and grandsons all making it to this level and leaving their marks, both big and small. Yet what happened in February of 2013 was truly special. For the first time in the history of any professional sport, two brothers would oppose each other as head coaches in a championship game.

John Harbaugh and Jim Harbaugh arrived at Super Bowl XLVII in different ways. Older brother John had been battling his way slowly up the AFC ladder, finally getting past hurdles like the Steelers and Patriots to be there. Younger brother Jim had gone through a meteoric ascent, reaching the big game in just his second season as a head coach. Both men were rabid competitors and it was fascinating to see how this game might impact their relationship.

In the end, it was the older brother who won. The Ravens prevailed 34-31. John has remained with his team ever since. Jim? He was gone after two more seasons in San Francisco and hasn’t been in the NFL for going on five years.

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