Jim Harbaugh is stingy when it comes to revealing strategy and information, even when it comes to his own parents.
His father, Jack Harbaugh, on Wednesday talked about a phone conversation he and his son had after the first day of the draft in 2011. The 49ers had selected linebacker Aldon Smith in the first round, and Jack was dying to know who they'd take in the second round.
"So I said, 'Jim, tomorrow in the second round, surely you're going to draft a quarterback. Which one is it going to be?'" Jack said of the call. "And it's dead silence. In fact, I can hear his voice (let's out a sigh)."
Said Jim: Are you talking to anybody?
-- I'm not talking to anybody. I'm your dad, you've got to tell me.
You're not going to tell mom who we're thinking about drafting?
-- Would you just tell me who it is? I promise you, I won't say anything to anybody.
"He said, 'We're drafting Colin Kaepernick.' He said, 'I not only think he's the best quarterback in the draft, I think that he's the best football player in the draft. And we're going with Colin Kaepernick."
Jack and wife Jackie held a very well-attended press conference today. Not surprisingly, it began with mom and dad belting out the family motto: Who's got it better than us? When they didn't think the reply from the crowd was boisterous enough, they performed it again, and this time the response met their satisfaction.
Jack also noted that the brother vs. brother battle won't be the only family rivalry at play on Sunday. Jim's son, Jay, is an assistant weight coach and also works in the film room for the Ravens. "You've got a father-son component Sunday as well," Jack said.
- Matt Barrows
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