Top 10 Jim Harbaugh Celebrity Friends
Earlier this week, we discussed 10 times that Jim Harbaugh has blown up, or at least made the internet blow up.
But the University of Michigan coach is more than just the fiery guy that you see storming up and down the sidelines.
Despite his on-field temperament, Harbaugh is actually pretty good at making friends, as evidenced by his interesting network of celebrity buddies.
That said, let’s take a closer look at 10 of Harbaugh’s most-interesting celebrity friends.
1. Judge Judy
According to ESPN’s Dan Murphy, the famed “Judge Judy” Sheindlin is one person whom Harbaugh has hung out with.
Regarding NFL prospects who lie in interviews, Harbaugh said that watching Judge Judy has shown him nobody prospers from lies. Eventually, Sheindlin heard that the coach was a fan and invited he and his dad, Jack, to lunch.
They ate together, played cards, and sat in on cases taped for Judge Judy.
2. NASCAR Driver Brad Keselowski
Two-time NASCAR Sprint Series champion Brad Keselowski comes from a racing family that honed their craft in northern Detroit. Naturally, Brad became a Wolverines fan like the rest of his family.
Harbaugh was excited to hear this, given that he once owned part of an IndyCar racing team. He invited Keselowski to Michigan’s national signing day extravaganza, introduced him to other celebrities, and keeps in touch with him via text.
3. Poker Pro Phil Hellmuth
Winning 14 World Series of Poker (WSOP) titles, Phil Hellmuth has more WSOP gold bracelets than any poker pro in history. And while this may not put him on the A-list with Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp, his fame was good enough when Hellmuth and Harbaugh met at a Stanford basketball game.
Desperate to get some star power on the Stanford sidelines in northern California, Harbaugh asked Hellmuth if he’d attend some football games. The “Poker Brat” obliged, and they’ve remained friends ever since.
Apparently, one of Hellmuth’s texts even seeped into a 49ers’ press conference, as Harbaugh said that 9-2 San Francisco “may be ahead in the chip count, but we don’t have a seat at the final table.”
4. Texas Rangers Pitcher Derek Holland
Derek Holland has become a solid pitcher for the Texas Rangers, compiling a 62-50 record and 4.35 ERA in eight seasons.
He also happens to be a Harbaugh friend who attended the same national signing day event as Keselowski.
5. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick
Developer of such hit games as Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, and World of Warcraft, Bobby Kotick was actually a student at Michigan when Harbaugh was the quarterback there.
Kotick has maintained close ties to Michigan, with he and Harbaugh also becoming friends.
“When we have conversations what comes up is those kinds of ideals,” said Kotick. “He’s not bashful about soliciting advice and looking for support. Part of being a great leader is that recognition of how to find capable people who have perspectives and insights that will improve your ability to remain committed to excellence.”
6. Justice Elena Kagan
As just the fourth woman appointed to the Supreme Court, Elena Kagan was one of the people whom Harbaugh got to know during his Washington D.C. trip.
Their chat ended with Harbaugh having Kagan sign his Bear Bryant autobiography. She penned the following: “If our government operated the way Coach Bryant ran his teams we’d all be in better shape. Best wishes, Jim Harbaugh.”
7. Michael Jordan
This 6-time NBA champion needs to no introduction, and you could easily argue that he should be No. 1 on this list. So what does Harbaugh have to do with a guy who first made his name at the University of North Carolina?
The two sparked a friendship when Jordan called to see if Harbaugh’s Michigan team was interested in wearing the Jumpman Logo on their uniforms.
Jordan took time out to visit with the Michigan football team and offer some advice to the players.
8. Dr. Allan Mishra
It never hurts to have a world-class sports doctor as a friend, which Harbaugh manages with Dr. Allan Mishra.
Mishra is famous for pioneering Platelet-Rich Plasma treatments to fix tennis elbow and other nagging injuries.
9. Ric Flair
Showing his wide range of friends, Harbaugh lured wrestler Ric Flair to Michigan’s national signing day event. But they’ve been friends long before this since Flair once gave Harbaugh’s 49ers a pep talk.
The Nature Boy even managed to get in disses against Ohio State and Michigan State during a speech.
"I can't stand Ohio State. I got no time for Michigan State." – @RicFlairNatrBoy https://t.co/oC40BMtczG
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) February 3, 2016
10. Tom Brady
This one might be obvious since the 4-time Super Bowl champion and New England Patriots quarterback is a Michigan alum. But it’s still worth mentioning that Tom Brady and Harbaugh have hit it off in the latter’s short stint as the Michigan coach.
