Super Bowl 47 is brotherly affair: Jim Harbaugh vs. John Harbaugh

NEW ORLEANS (WITI) -- On Sunday, February 3rd, a pair of brothers will battle for the biggest prize in football! Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers will face off with his brother, John Harbaugh, head coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

While the brother-brother coaching matchup in Super Bowl 47 is a first, if any family is going to be involved, it makes sense that it's the Harbaughs.

Jim and John are the sons of Jack and Jackie. 

"It's not that you set out thinking that's what they are going to do. You want them to be happy in their choices and to be passionate about what they are doing in their lives," Jackie Harbaugh said.

There is little doubt the current coaches are passionate. Their sister is too! Joani is married to college basketball coach Tom Crean, who resuscitated the program at Marquette and is now succeeding at Indiana. Joani said she got the same lessons as Jim and John.

"Just be happy. If one of us came to them and said we wanted to take ice skating lessons, great, okay, go take ice skating lessons. But at the end of the day, I think that one thing both of them said was make sure whatever you do, you're happy while you're doing it," Joani Crean said.

Like much of America, the Harbaugh parents were watching the championship games last weekend. They were a little more invested than most viewers though! The Niners earned their Super Bowl berth first.

"After his game was over, about the middle of the third quarter, Jim called from the airport and he didn't talk about his game or what did you think about that? He wanted to know what's going on with John," Jackie Harbaugh said.

Before that night was over, John's Ravens had beaten the Patriots to set up what has become the biggest single story leading up to the biggest event in professional sports.

"This is a great stage, but it's not really any different than when you competed in junior high school or in high school. Emotionally, you want to put your team in the best possible position to be successful. Every decision you make, it will center around the team, the team, the team and go prepare for your team. Enjoy yourself, and when it's all over, no regrets," Jack Harbaugh said.

Jack and Jackie moved to Mequon with Joani and Tom Crean were at Marquette, and they continue to live there. However, they will be in New Orleans for the big game!