Why Ravens Coach John Harbaugh Finds His Identity in Christ
By Movieguide® Contributor
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh leans on his faith while coaching one of the most prominent teams in the NFL.
Harbaugh began his NFL coaching career with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1998-2007, where he served as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. He was highly regarded for his work on special teams.
In 2008, Harbaugh was hired as the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Under his leadership, the Ravens became known for their strong defense and physical style of play. The team achieved considerable success, including multiple playoff appearances and a Super Bowl XLVII victory in the 2012-2013 season.
Despite his success as a coach, Harbaugh knows where to find his identity.
“Our identity is not in so much what we do but how we do it and more importantly who we do it for. Our identity should always be in Christ,” he told Athletes in Action. “The thing that gives human existence any meaning at all is the fact that we’re created in God’s image and that He loves us and cares about us one hundred percent.”
“Before the beginning of time, He had a plan for us, and He created us in a way [that] He knows us intimately,” Harbaugh shared, according to Beliefnet. “He knows what our true desires are and what our purpose is. So trying to find that purpose or connection with God and being connected and filled with the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, is success. That is the ultimate success.”
“I trust Providence; I trust God’s will, His plan,” he added. “And as much as anything, I try to put it in His hands because when you look back, you can see where He has brought you. When you look back, there’s a certainty in the road that you’ve traveled, and as I get older now, I can really see that more clearly.”
The start of the 2023-2024 season hasn’t opened well for the Ravens, as they are 1-2 in preseason play. However, Harbaugh won’t let that get him down. He knows where his identity stands and that, win or lose, he is loved by God.
Movieguide® recently reported on Harbaugh:
Despite Harbaugh’s success as a coach, he gives all the credit to God.
“To me, success is alignment with God,” Harbaugh said. “Perfect success would be perfect alignment with God and God’s will… He knows what our true desires are, what our purpose is, so trying to find that purpose through connection with God — being connected and filled with the spirit of God, the Holy Spirit — that is success.”
“The biggest thing I’ve learned faith-wise is that God is in the driver’s seat. That is what faith is. It’s the belief in the things that are unseen. It’s a certain trust in life and in God, our Creator,” he added.
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