Jim Harbaugh: ‘Abortion issue’ is one ‘that needs to be talked about,’ says Michigan Wolverines head coach
Harbaugh, a Catholic, and his wife Sarah spoke at the ‘Plymouth Right to Life’ pro-life event last week. He explained how his pro-life beliefs were instilled by his parents from an early age.
He added: “It’s a matter of life and death. And I believe and respect people’s opinions. But let’s listen to them. Let’s talk about it because there is passion on both sides of this issue. So when you combine that with respect, that’s where the best results come from. … [I’m] just contributing to that conversation and that communication, which I think is really important.”
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court formally delivered its judgment, paving the way for the state restrictions to take effect. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights think tank, a number of states, including Idaho, Tennessee and Texas, were waiting for that official word before enacting some of their laws aimed at restricting abortions.
More than half of U.S. states have laws that prohibit or severely restrict the right to abortion, and some have so-called trigger laws that were to come into effect automatically if Roe v. Wade was canceled. Since the court struck down Roe, legal battles have been ongoing in several states, with pro-abortion rights supporters successfully blocking bans temporarily in at least five states, including Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan and Utah.
The verdict sparked widespread protests and demonstrations as abortion rights activists took to the streets to show their outrage at the decision.
Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback and NFL coach, has been outspoken about social justice issues in recent years, showing his vehement support for Colin Kaepernick and attending a march against police brutality in the week that followed. the murder of George Floyd.
He said in the interview with ESPN that if any of his players or staff were to have a baby that he is not ready to take care of, he and his wife would take care of it.
“Any player on our team, any female staff member or any staff member or anyone in our family or extended family… who doesn’t feel like after having had a baby, he can take care of it, we have a big house. We’re going to raise this baby.”
CNN’s Alexandra Meeks contributed to this report.
cnn-top
