Harbaugh ended his training camp speech with a story, words for the players to live by this season, almost a premonition of what has transpired since. The story began, as many do, in his childhood. John was 10; Jim was 8. John had always stuck up for Jim in fights, but one day in their yard, John pushed Jim. So Jim punched John in the stomach. John welled up, and their dad came outside.
What happened?
Jim punched me.
Why did you punch him?
'Cause he pushed me!
Dad said to John, "If you push someone, then they might punch you back. You understand?'"
Dad said to me, "Jim, do you have something you want to say to your brother?"
I said, "Good, now he knows."
"I learned that day that you can't count on anyone fighting for you except for you," Harbaugh told the team. "You have to be prepared to fight and finish your own battles. We have 16 fights and finishes scheduled -- playoffs and Super Bowl to be determined. That wouldn't make a bad T-shirt!"