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Jim Harbaugh: Pro-lifer

John Fea   |  July 20, 2022 Leave a Comment

Harbaugh at the Vatican in 2017

The University of Michigan football coach spoke at a pro-life event in Michigan this week.

Here is Detroit Catholic:

Fr. John Riccardo and coach Jim Harbaugh, two well-known names in their respective professions, were the keynote speakers July 17 during the Plymouth Right to Life dinner and auction at the Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth.

The ACTS XXIX founder and Big Ten-winning University of Michigan football coach, respectively, shared the stage to give their own pro-life witness during the sold-out event, which supported various life-affirming charities and initiatives in Metro Detroit.

“Thank you to Jim and Sarah (Harbaugh’s wife, who spoke during the evening’s question-and-answer session) for being here,” Fr. Riccardo said. “Your presence here speaks volumes about the people you are, the courage and commitment you have on this critical issue.”

“We Were Made to be Courageous” was the theme of the night, and Harbaugh spoke about the courage it takes in today’s world to state one’s convictions with a clear intent and to follow up on those convictions.

“I believe in having the courage to let the unborn be born,” Harbaugh said. “I love life. I believe in having a loving care and respect for life and death. My faith and my science are what drive these beliefs in me. Quoting from Jeremiah, ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’”

Harbaugh, a Catholic, spoke about how his pro-life convictions were instilled in him from a young age by his parents, adding those values inform his relationship with his own children, and well as with his players and staff at the University of Michigan.

Read the rest here. (For more on the pic at the top of this post click here). The Detroit Free Press also covered Harbaugh’s speech.

Michigan is a purple state, so it should not surprise us that the Michigan football fans were divided over Harbaugh’s speech:

As a die hard Michigan fan, Fuck Jim Harbaugh. https://t.co/D0gAgVtGKW

— JoJo (@JoJoBasicB) July 19, 2022

Proud of our head coach for not being shy about his faith.

🙏🏻

https://t.co/wtF68kimoh

— ☨ Wolverine Devotee 42-27 〽️ (@UMichWD) July 18, 2022

Appreciate Jim Harbaugh’s stand for life.
Go Blue!!!
https://t.co/78JashRX4L

— Gary Jared (@garyjared) July 20, 2022

I don't agree with Coach Harbaugh but we knew he was Catholic so #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/C92fOGVJG2

— Kenyatta martin (@KMartinPhotog) July 20, 2022

I love that Coach Harbaugh has the courage to speak his beliefs and doesn't let the noise and criticism change who he is. I don't always agree with his take but I respect the hell out of him for not being a puppet and staying true to his beliefs.
(Like Kappernick situation)

— Wolverine Steve (@wolverine_steve) July 20, 2022

I'm a Michigan fan, but maybe Harbaugh's politics are starting to hurt his recruiting efforts.

— Robert Karsten (@RobertKarsten6) July 20, 2022

.@UMich @UofMichFootball this is more embarrassing than losing to Appalachian State. Well, at least I don’t have to pretend to care about Michigan Football through the rest of his tenure. Harbaugh is trash. https://t.co/g1JHrB9gu4

— Jordana H. (@DeLaRoll5) July 20, 2022

I say this as a Michigan fan, Jim Harbaugh needs to shut up and coach.

— It’s Me (@ItsMe61980518) July 19, 2022

Harbaugh has a right to his opinion like have a right to stop being a fan of the team. University of Michigan football, just lost a fan….F Harbaugh.

— Phil P (@Uperpeninsula) July 19, 2022

This is not going to go well for Harbaugh. I respect his right to have beliefs but that's a belief I don't respect. And I'm the biggest of Michigan fans (two degrees). Sigh.

— Jason (@JasonKatz115) July 19, 2022

Of course Harbaugh has the right to comment, but Michigan football fans hold a multitude of opinions about abortion. Why did he choose to take sides on this decisive issue?

— christina hill (@Crissiegirldee) July 19, 2022

@UMich @UMichFootball So disrespectful to the beliefs of your students. No longer a Michigan Football fan. #MichiganFootball #Harbaugh https://t.co/wjspZIJpuy

— Valar Margs (@VMargs) July 19, 2022

I had been a Michigan football fan since 1993 when my older sister went to college there. I am a fan no longer. https://t.co/zWYA9p7OXo

— David Goldberg, MD, MSCE 🇺🇦 (@DrLiver) July 19, 2022

Here comes the cancel Harbaugh barrage. Strap in Michigan fans. I’m not defending either sad but the action and reaction will be predictable. https://t.co/slq9dhuXzL

— Redacted (@thespoiler13_) July 20, 2022

Still am a big fan of Jim Harbaugh and Michigan

— Jay Elliot Coburn (@JayCoburn816) July 19, 2022

. Thx to @CoachJim4UM for standing up for life and thx for not trying to be politically correct. Ur stance is so refreshing in todays world of college football. #GoBlue https://t.co/xXJKmRBxuy

— Randy Ross (@CoachRandyRoss) July 20, 2022

He will certainly get flak for this. Takes guts – may even lose some recruits. But I'm good with what he said. #GoBlue https://t.co/HZkQo6tq94

— Chad Grindstaff (@chadwgrindstaff) July 20, 2022

Harbaugh appears to have won over some Ohio State fans:

As a lifelong Ohio State fan, this is one time I’ll cheer for Jim Harbaugh. God bless this man. https://t.co/BBbmfnCR6N

— Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) July 20, 2022

As a Buckeye, Harbaugh’s stock went way up with this.

— Fort Flink (@realfortflink) July 20, 2022

As a Buckeye fan, only time I’ve liked Harbaugh. Well done.

Go Bucks!

— J n R G (@txinsea) July 20, 2022

And at least one Penn State fan:

I’m a die hard Penn State fan and now I hope Michigan wins the National Championship

— Fregattenkapitan (@Schaferhund12) July 20, 2022

Filed Under: Way of Improvement Tagged With: abortion, catholicism, college football, Jim Harbaugh, Michigan, pro-life, University of Michigan

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