Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh provokes liberal wrath for unapologetically defending unborn life

University of Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh invoked the wrath of pro-abortion advocates after speaking at a pro-life event where he defended unborn lives.

Harbaugh is a devout Catholic.

What did Harbaugh say?

Speaking at a Plymouth Right to Life dinner on Sunday, Harbaugh delivered a "pro-life testimony" in which he forcefully defended unborn humans.

"I believe in having the courage to let the unborn be born,” Harbaugh said, the Detroit Catholic reported.

"I love life. I believe in having a loving care and respect for life and death. My faith and my science are what drives these beliefs in me," Harbaugh added before quoting Jeremiah 1:5 and saying, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

The former NFL coach of the year later said that he does not believe the government has a compelling interest to permit abortion.

There are many things one may hold to be immoral, but the government appropriately allows because of some greater good or personal or constitutional right.

Ultimately, I don’t believe that is the case with abortion. Yes, there are conflicts between the legitimate rights of the mother and the rights of the unborn child. One resolution might involve incredible hardship for the mother, family and society. Another results in the death of an unborn person.

Harbaugh told the dinner crowd that he has been pro-life since a young age, and admitted that his view shapes his relationship with his family, friends, and even the players he coaches.

"In God’s plan, each unborn human truly has a future filled with potential, talent, dreams and love," Harbaugh said. "I have living proof in my family, my children, and the many thousands that I’ve coached that the unborn are amazing gifts from God to make this world a better place. To me, the right choice is to have the courage to let the unborn be born."

What was the reaction?

Even though Harbaugh has never hidden his pro-life views, his remarks evoked a sharp reaction from pro-abortion advocates, who ferociously condemned him.

• "This might be a difficult concept for Jim Harbaugh of any anti-choice person to grasp … but if you don’t want an abortion, just don’t get one. Not that hard," sports commentator Jemele Hill reacted.
• "F*** Jim Harbaugh and everyone who believes this way. Forcing people to give birth is not courage," one person reacted.
• "As a die hard Michigan fan, F*** Jim Harbaugh," one Michigan fan reacted.
• "No one who actively attempts to deny women their most basic rights should ever be allowed to hold a position of influence at a public university. That incudes (sic) University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh and his anti-woman fundraising. He's a public employee. Fire his a**," another person said.
• "Funny because Jim Harbaugh has had no problem traveling to other states to lose things before," one person mocked.
• "F*** Jim Harbaugh, may the University of Michigan 86 him before his contract goes full-term," another person reacted.
• "Lucky for Jim Harbaugh that no matter how many times Ohio State f**** him, he can't get pregnant," another person mocked.
• "F*** you, Jim Harbaugh, you sanctimonious prick," one person said.
• "I hope Michigan donors immediately cease supporting Harbaugh," another person reacted.

While pro-abortion activists may want Harbaugh to lose his job, he is staying put for years to come as Michigan's head football coach.

In February, Harbaugh signed a 5-year contract extension worth $36.7 million. And considering he just led Michigan to its first Big Ten conference title in nearly two decades, Harbaugh isn't going anywhere.