BREAKING: Jim Harbaugh Attends Controversial Anti-Abortion Rally After Michigan Wolverines Win 2023-2024 National Championship
Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh, who is coming off of a national championship victory over the Washington Huskies, was spotted participating in a March for Life rally Friday.
Harbaugh addressed the crowd at the 51st annual March for Life, and he did so to introduce former New England Patriots tight end Benjamin Watson. The rally took place in Washington D.C.
In an article from the Daily Caller, Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh explained what the pro-life cause means to him.
“You know, we all talk about human rights. There’s really no rights that are important unless you have the right to life,” Harbaugh told the DCNF. “This is a great day for a march. It’s a great day for the sanctity of life, and football weather. Let’s make it a great day.”
This is not the first time Harbaugh has expressed his views on the issue. In the 2022 Plymouth Right to Life dinner and auction in Plymouth, Michigan, Harbaugh expressed his belief “in having the courage to let the unborn be born.”
Harbaugh did not hide his devotion to the Catholic faith when he took the Michigan Wolverines football team to Rome. He met Pope Francis at the Vatican and gave him Michigan Wolverines gifts and apparel, according to ESPN. In the article from ESPN, Harbaugh spoke highly of the meeting.
“If I accomplish nothing more in my life, if I go right now,” Harbaugh said, “I’ll be going out a blessed man.”
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive back Will Johnson (2) celebrate after their 34-13 win over Washington to win the national championship at NRG Stadium in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Since 2017, the Michigan Wolverines have only cracked the top five in 247 Sports recruiting classes one time. Since 2020, the Wolverines have only cracked the top-10 twice.
Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines have recruited well, but they are by no means a powerhouse when it comes to talent. There are a lot of factors that play in to recruiting, and the personality of the coach is certainly one of them.
Abortion is one of the most controversial topics out there. Nearly 50% of 18-29 year olds think abortion should be legal under any and all circumstances, according to a Gallup poll. This means that Harbaugh could potentially be alienating a large portion of his recruiting base by being outspoken on the issue, assuming that a coaches opinion on the matter would be a deal breaker.
College football fans unsurprisingly have mixed opinions about Harbaugh’s attendance of the March for Life rally. If college football fans are strongly opinionated about it, than there are at least some potential college football players that feel the same way.
Harbaugh’s decision to express his pro-life views could potentially affect recruiting, but it could also win people over. According to that same Gallup poll, 11% of 18 to 29 year olds think abortion should be illegal in all circumstances.
Recruits don’t typically explain their reasoning for avoiding certain schools, so it will be near impossible to prove whether Harbaugh’s pro-life stance affects recruiting. Regardless, Harbaugh continues to be outspoken about his view on the issue.
