“Don’t Know if I’ve Ever Been More Wrong”: Jim Harbaugh’s Biggest Critic Retracts Harsh Statement on Live TV After Triumph Against Washington

An analyst admitting his defeat is a rare thing to witness in the landscape of football. Yet, Jim Harbaugh headed Michigan Wolverines redefined this as well, along with the history with their National Championship win. Paul Finebaum was a stanch critic of the team, especially under Harbaugh’s reign. Per Finebaum earlier this season, any national championship for the Wolverines would be tainted, with an asterisk next to Michigan’s name.

The reason was as transparent as a glass the sign-stealing fiasco. However, as Michigan progressed, the analyst ha to swallow some spiteful words and roll out some praises when they won the Rose Bowl. The ultimate confession from the best critic of Harbaugh came after the National Championship win.

Paul Finebaum accepts his mistake

Finebaum is reputed for being skeptical of Harbaugh and Co. for years. Hence, his honeyed words for the head coach of Michigan came as a huge surprise for the audience and an accomplishment for Jim Harbaugh. On the ‘GetUp’ podcast by ESPN, Finebaum admitted his defeat. ” I don’t know if I’ve ever been more wrong about anything in my entire life. I didn’t think the guy would ever be,” started off the analyst. Yet he circled back to admitting his words were wrong, “But the point being, this is truly remarkable. And I don’t want to be wrong about jumping. You never want to be wrong, epically long after this constellation out of this universe wrong.” 

At the end, finally giving Jim Harbaug all the praise he deserves, Finebaum said, “And I think Jim Harbaugh has silenced all those who doubted him in the in the early days. I’m not talking about what’s happened this year. And that’s a whole different story. But in the end, he has proven everyone wrong.” He even went against the infamous ‘aestrick’ remark, accepting that the team won ‘legitimately’. However, as always, Finebaum’s comments come with a caveat. 

Finebaum on Harbaugh’s coaching

When Michigan defeated Alabama in a cut-throat game in the Rose Bowl, it was the beginning of Finebaum’s change of perceptions. When the team were the champions on New Year, Finebaum opined, “And he outcoached Saban in the biggest stage in sport.” 

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His change of perceptions turned absolute when he spent one week with the student-athletes at MU. He was moved especially by the dedicated players like Corum and McCarthy, and their nonchalance with the whole fiasco. Their spirit of constantly focusing on the game won Finebaum’s hearts, enabling him to change his mind about the team. Safe to say, it was not only Finebaum’s heart that they won, but thousands of others.

Watch this story: Coach Jim Harbaugh Sets The Record Straight On Michigan’s Sign-Stealing Incident