Super Bowl 2013 brings psychological sidebar

The 2013 Super Bowl has taken a psychological sidestep, as parents Jack and Jackie Harbaugh prep for the sure-to-come media scrutiny: Which team will win their biggest smiles come Feb. 3?

First son John Harbaugh, 50, is head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Second son Jim Harbaugh, 49, is head coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Super Bowl Sunday’s clash of the two teams could prove a lesson in facial-muscle control for the parents as cameramen scope for the slightest indication of favor — the most minute of twitches that could be interpreted as support for one team — and by extension, one son — over another.

“I had no idea it was going to be so great,” said David Michaels, an NBC Sports producer who makes it his mission to track family responses at athletic events, in an Associated Press report.

The Harbaughs already had a taste of what their sons’ matchup would call for in terms of controlled emotions. The teams battled each other on Thanksgiving Day in 2011. Then, the Ravens won by 10, The Associated Press reported.

“She just stared at the screen,” Mr. Harbaugh reportedly said, recalling his wife’s reaction. “Not a word was spoken.”

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