Jim Harbaugh tattoo, explained: Former Michigan coach fulfills promise to commemorate perfect season

Edward Sutelan

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Jim Harbaugh tattoo, explained: Former Michigan coach fulfills promise to commemorate perfect season image

Jim Harbaugh finally achieved the ultimate goal after returning to his alma mater as the head coach.

After years of coming up short against rival Ohio State, Harbaugh led Michigan to three straight wins in the rivalry and three straight Big Ten titles. His final campaign saw Harbaugh and the Wolverines go undefeated in the regular season, win the Big Ten, beat Alabama in the Rose Bowl and finally top Washington in the national championship game.

Harbaugh, 60, left after the 2023 NCAA season to coach the Chargers, returning for his second stint as an NFL head coach after coaching the 49ers from 2011-14.

But he returned to Michigan for the Wolverines' spring game, and he showed off a new mark. On his right shoulder was a tattoo recognizing Michigan's 15-0 season.

Why did he get a tattoo? Here's what you need to know.

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Jim Harbaugh Michigan football tattoo, explained

Harbaugh got a simple tattoo on his shoulder with Michigan's block M atop the team's record from its national championship campaign: a perfect 15-0.

Before the season, Harbaugh told his players he would get a tattoo if they completed an undefeated season. Following the title win against Washington, he doubled down on that promise

"I'm gonna get a tattoo that says 15-0. I'm doing it," Harbaugh said. "I made that vow, I made that promise and I'm going to do it."

Harbaugh is a man of his word, and he wound up getting the ink.

MORE: Jim Harbaugh's timeline of trouble in the NCAA

Michigan football championship ring, explained

The Wolverines will receive their championship rings Saturday during the team's spring game.

The ring draws inspiration from the shape and size of Michigan Stadium and features white stones and the block M logo, which is carved using blue stones. The College Football Playoff trophy sits behind the block M, and it is capped off with a white stone.

There are fifteen white stones along the top of the ring to represent each of the team's wins and there are 12 baguette stones that represent the 12 titles from the Wolverines. On the left of the ring is the player's name and NRG Stadium, where Michigan won the title. The final score of the national championship is on top of the stadium with the player's jersey number in front.

The Harbaugh family's catchphrase, "Who's got it better than us? Nobody!" wraps around the edges of the ring. On the right side of the ring, "Michigan vs. Everybody" is written out with the 2023 championship logo. Inside the ring features the school motto, "Those who stay will be champions," along with the record and the CFP logo. The outside of the band has the word, "Bet" printed on it.

“In the last year of the four-team playoff, the University of Michigan capped off an extraordinary undefeated season with their program’s 12th national championship title,” Chris Poitras, SVP and GM of Jostens Professional and College Sports Division, said in a release. “Jostens is proud to partner with Michigan to celebrate their remarkable 2023 season with four uniquely designed championship rings that capture all the most meaningful pieces of their story. It is our distinct honor to help bring that story to life on these rings.”

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.