NFL coach Jim Harbaugh: I've met seven presidents... here's why Donald Trump stood out so much
Speaking at the opening of Chargers training camp, the 61-year-old former NFL quarterback said it was Trump's engagement and observations that that made their recent Oval Office meeting so memorable.
'He's super observant,' Harbaugh told reporters of Trump. 'Really engaged.'
Harbaugh and his brother, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, were recently spotted leaving the White House, leading to speculation the two had met with Trump.
Soon after, Outkick's Clay Travis posted a photo online showing the brothers with Trump, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang, U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer and U.S. commerce secretary Howard Lutnick in the Oval Office.
'There's a lot of gratitude there to be invited to the White House to meet the president with my family, my mom and dad,' Harbaugh told reporters. 'President Trump was just great to my mom and dad. That meant so much. My brother John, his daughter Allison, my two daughters [Addison and Katherine], my sister Joanie and niece Ainsley. So there was nine of us and it was great.
'I mean, who gets invited to the White House with eight other family members and doesn't go?' Harbaugh asked. 'Nobody.'
Harbaugh also said there is a 'cool factor' in meeting important people.
'Pope Francis, can't leave him out,' Harbaugh said. 'Not a president but doesn't get any higher, doesn't get any better than Pope Francis. I think seven presidents, four first ladies, I've caught 22 foul balls in games. Legit … I'm really proud of that.
'Even though they're saying different things and believe in different things, they really believe in what they're doing, and they all care about the country,' Harbaugh continued. 'That's something that resonated. And their work ethic comes through so much.'
As for the details of the Harbaugh family meeting with Trump and Lutnick, the Chargers' head coach said it was a first-time encounter for everyone involved. And although it was intended to be brief, Trump wasn't rushing him out the door.
'Met President Trump at 4:30, 4:45, and then it was after 5, and we were still talking,' he said. 'You could tell he wasn't going to be the first to leave. I'm sure he wanted to go get dinner or something.'
Trump even asked about Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, leading Harbaugh to say POTUS is 'very knowledgeable about all sports and especially football.'
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