Chargers take Jim Harbaugh’s sometimes comical words very seriously

Some of the expressions by Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh might need a bit of an explanation for some. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Eyebrows raise. Eyes dart back and forth. Heads cock to the side.

When Jim Harbaugh starts talking, Chargers players never quite know how to react.

“It’s like a really fun wild roller coaster,” quarterback Taylor Heinicke said, “that comes with a cool ending.”

Unexpected, unorthodox and unquestionably unique, Harbaugh’s growing phrasebook has set a quirky yet firm foundation for the new Chargers era.

Eight months since Harbaugh’s arrival, players haven’t learned to predict where his latest speech will turn. He quotes Nelson Mandela. He reads lyrics to an entire Black Eyed Peas song. He revives centuries-old idioms.

Read more: What Jim Harbaugh saw on film to change coach’s opinion of Chargers’ loss to Cardinals

Other coaches could lose their players through meandering mottos. Harbaugh’s magic is his ability to keep every player buckled in for the ride.

“When you’re around someone who is of that energy, that stature, it’s hard to get lost,” linebacker Daiyan Henley said. “And the best thing about him is that everything is proven. This is what he does.”

A glimpse into Harbaugh’s Chargers dictionary:

‘The worm has turned’

A sign shared by a Chargers fan proves the L.A. faithful would like their team to turn the worm. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

In the euphoric celebration of the Chargers’ season-opening win against the Las Vegas Raiders, Harbaugh used an expression credited to English writer John Heywood and referenced by Williams Shakespeare. At first, wide receiver Simi Fehoko glanced around the locker room for reassurance about what it meant. The receiver was met by a room full of coaches and teammates who also had no idea.

“I thought it was hilarious,” Fehoko said.

The expression refers to how a situation can change. Even a meek worm can suddenly turn around and resist.

The Chargers, who were embarrassed by…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-jim-harbaughs-sometimes-comical-100051746.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-10-25 10:00:51

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