New Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to beat Pittsburgh this weekend, but that doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate the city. During a press conference on Monday, Harbaugh praised the city, its people and its values.
“When you play against those guys as a player, there’s an aura about it,” Harbaugh said Monday. From the team’s YouTube channel. “Everyone I’ve met that’s from Pittsburgh. There’s no one on this planet I respect more than Ben Herbert. I know what football players from Pittsburgh are like. Real, genuine, unique. I have nothing but respect for them.”
You’re not alone in thinking “Ben Herbert” is a portmanteau of Ben Roethlisberger and Justin Herbert. I thought so too. But this is a real person, the Chargers’ executive director of player performance. He was on Harbaugh’s staff at the University of Michigan. Herbert is a graduate of West Allegheny College. He followed Harbaugh to Los Angeles.
Harbaugh, arguably the best addition to this year’s coaching staff, has got the Chargers back on track. With the personnel and structure of the Ravens, including general manager Joe Hortese, who came over from Baltimore, Los Angeles is building a team more like Pittsburgh: tough, physical and aggressive on the football. Through the first two weeks, the Steelers and Chargers rank in the top 10 in rushing attempts, with Pittsburgh first and Los Angeles sixth, separated by just six carries.
Both teams are 2-0 and one of nine remaining unbeaten teams, and barring a draw, there won’t be more than eight teams in Sunday afternoon’s action.
Asked about Harbaugh during his press conference on Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin said Harbaugh won’t be a familiar face on opposing teams’ sidelines.
“A lot has happened over the years,” Tomlin said. From the team’s YouTube channel As for how frequently he’s interacted with Harbaugh, he said: “I mean, this isn’t his first time playing in the NFL, so I’ve seen him play a few times over the years, obviously.”
Jim Harbaugh served as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014, compiling a record of 44 wins, 19 losses and one tie, with one Super Bowl appearance against his brother John’s Baltimore Ravens, which the Ravens won, 34-31. Harbaugh returned to the NFL this season after winning a national championship at Michigan, site of Tomlin’s annual pro day.
Harbaugh may have earned some recognition for his positive comments about the city, but Steelers fans will be hoping he goes home with a loss this weekend.
