Jim Harbaugh calls Lions-Ravens game ‘one for the ages’ while U-M player laments S.O.L.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Well, this is awkward.

Naturally, considering Ann Arbor is just 40 miles west of Detroit, there are a lot of Michigan football fans who also consider themselves fans of the Detroit Lions. While Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh appears to be a fan of football, he certainly roots for the Baltimore Ravens, considering his brother John is the head coach there.

If you missed it — and you probably didn’t — the Lions lost a heartbreaker at home, as Detroit had just taken a 17-16 lead with 1:04 remaining in the game. It looked as if the Lions were going to hold on and take down the mighty Ravens as the defense stopped Lamar Jackson and co. at midfield with seconds remaining. However, kicker Justin Tucker hit a 66-yard field goal — an NFL record — which hit the crossbar of the upright and took a fortuitous bounce to seal a 19-17 walk-off victory for Baltimore.

So, Michigan football fans that are also Detroit Lions fans — while you may not want to hear a Harbaugh brother wax ecstatic about the game, Jim, at least, gave a lot of credit to Detroit for being in the game as it was.

But he still waxed ecstatic, of course.

“Yeah, I was watching it, I was watching it! It was the incredible,” Harbaugh said. “I know John enjoyed the incredible. It was one for the ages. An incredible football game. Both teams, opposing wills colliding and playing really good, tough, hard-nosed football. That was one that was really appreciated by all I’m sure that were watching it. The Lions have a lot to be proud of and so do the Ravens. They find a way! And in incredible fashion. Would’ve been great to have been there but, you know.

“Would’ve been great to have been there but I think it really came through on the TV as well! Am I wrong?”

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But if you don’t want to hear Harbaugh gloat, you’re not alone.

Thus far, Traverse City-native Ryan Hayes, the Wolverines’ starting left tackle, hasn’t talked to Harbaugh about the game, and considering that he’s a Lions fan, he doesn’t appear eager to. But, at the same time, Hayes is clearly thinking what every other Lions fan is thinking.

“It was disappointing yesterday,” Hayes said. “But, we’re used to it.”

Sounds like someone has acclimated to the ‘Same Old Lions’ mentality, yeah?

“Yeah, we’re used to it. Sadly.”

Spoken like a true Lions fan.

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What Jim Harbaugh said in his Week 5 press conference previewing Wisconsin