To address a quarterback competition, University of Michigan football coach and outspoken Christian Jim Harbaugh says he followed the example of the Bible’s wisest person: King Solomon. Faced with two strong QB contenders—Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy—Harbaugh has decided to let them each start one of the Wolverines’ first two games.
“Some people have asked, ‘How did you come to that decision? Was it based on some kind of NFL model?’” Harbaugh tells reporters. He adds, “No, it’s really biblical. Solomon, he was known to be a pretty wise person.” In 1 Kings 3:16-28, the king cleverly solved a dispute between two women by suggesting they cut a baby in half.
Jim Harbaugh: ‘No Person Knows What the Future Holds’
Jim Harbaugh, who’s beginning his eighth season at the Big Ten powerhouse, also mentions the Bible’s message about uncertainty. “No person, that’s biblical, no person knows what the future holds,” he says. Landing on a starting quarterback is “a process” that will “be based on performance,” adds Harbaugh, “but we’re not going to withhold any good thing.”
Some sports commentators are questioning the reference. One asks, “Is Jim Harbaugh a prophet or just a college football coach?” The unattributed column at On3.com adds: “Solomon was known to be perhaps the wisest man in the history of the world, according to the Bible. Though even he, wise as he was, succumbed to major sin. So is Harbaugh essentially saying that even the wisest man in the history of the planet couldn’t choose between Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy? Because the future is forever unpredictable? And even the wisest among us make the wrong decisions sometimes? Guess so.”
Michigan Coach Is a Vocal Pro-Life Supporter
Last month, Harbaugh, who is Catholic, made headlines for speaking at a pro-life event near Detroit. As Church Leaders reported, he told attendees, “In God’s plan, each unborn human truly has a future filled with potential, talent, dreams and love.” The coach added, “To me, the right choice is to have the courage to let the unborn be born.”
Harbaugh and his wife, Sarah, who also spoke at the event, say they aren’t afraid of being canceled for expressing pro-life views. “If someone believes in what they stand for, they are choosing to stand for that position,” Jim Harbaugh said. “What kind of person are you if you don’t fight tooth and nail for what you stand for? You get to change hearts by fighting for what you stand for.”
Abortion supporters weren’t happy with Harbaugh’s talk. One tweets: “The decision by Jim Harbaugh to speak at an anti-choice event in this moment is nothing short of reprehensible and frankly raises concerning questions about @UMich’s commitment to the health and safety of people with uteruses.”
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