Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh explained his pro-life stance over the weekend after his comments at a right-to-life conference rocked social media and some college football fans. Harbaugh told ESPN that he was encouraging his family, players and staff members to say that if they were unable to care for a baby after an unplanned pregnancy for some reason, he and his wife will take the child and assist in raising it.
“I’ve told [them] the same thing I tell my kids, boys, the girls, same thing I tell our players, our staff members. I encourage them if they have a pregnancy that wasn’t planned, to go through with it, go through with it” Harbaugh stated. “Let that unborn child be born and if at that time, you don’t feel like you can care for it, you don’t have the means or the wherewithal, then Sarah and I will take that baby.”
Remarks by Harbaugh at the Right to Life event in Plymouth, Michigan, sparked anger following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
He was quoted as saying to ESPN, “the abortion issue is one that’s so big that it needs to be talked about.”
“It’s a life or death type of issue. And I believe in, and I respect, people’s views. But let’s hear them. Let’s discuss them because there’s passion on both sides of this issue,” Harbaugh added. “So when you combine that with respect, that’s when the best results come … [I’m] just contributing to that conversation and that communication, which I think is really important, in my opinion.”
Harbaugh made an appearance at the Right to Life conference earlier this month and made his position clear.
“I believe in having the courage to let the unborn be born,” he declared through Detroit Catholic. “I love life. I believe in having a loving care and respect for life and death. My faith and my science are what drives 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 has previously mentioned his pro-life views in an interview with the National Review in 2020 ahead of the college football season that was impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. He said at the time he saw a silver lining from the pandemic and saw it as a message from God.
“I don’t think it’s coincidence, personally, living a faith-based life,” Harbaugh stated. “This is a message — this is something where, a time we grow in our faith. Having reverence and respect for God. You see people taking more a view of sanctity of life. I hope that continues — and not just in this time of crisis or pandemic.
“We talk about sanctity of life, yet we live in a society that aborts babies. There can’t be anything more horrendous.”
The Wolverines’ season will start on September 3 against Colorado State at home.