This year’s election in November will be like no other. Of course, the pundits say that every year. It’s ALWAYS the most important election of our times. It’s always the end of the world as we know it one way or another. But this year IS different.

We’re coming out of Covid, we’re living with economic challenges, Roe v. Wade was overturned, crime is up across the nation and the country is divided on masks, Trump, Biden and just about everything else.

There is a lot for voters to think about this year and while the democrats hope that there are a lot of single-item voters who are abortion supporters, they don’t understand that there are abortion-rights republicans and anti-abortion democrats. And there are independents out there who are looking at the state of the country and aren’t very happy.

Most people are far more complicated than just being concerned about one issue to vote on in the voting booth. There are many issues floating around in their heads right now, some more important than others because they directly involve their day to day lives like high energy, gas and food costs.

Many people, especially public figures, have been afraid to speak out about what is going on in our country. Michigan football Coach Jim Harbaugh is not one of them. In fact, over the years, he’s pretty much done and said what he’s wanted to and hasn’t consistently stay on the right or the left side of the aisle.

Harbaugh, in the past, has appeared to be a democrat supporter. He attended a Hillary Clinton rally in 2016, worked with Michelle Obama on an education initiative and was a guest of President Obama at a State of the union address, telling TMZ Sports “The President hit it out of the park.”

However, he does not agree with their opinions on abortion.

A practicing Catholic, he appeared at a pro-life fundraiser in Plymouth, Michigan recently called “Plymouth Right to Life.”

During his speech, he said, “I believe in having the courage to let the unborn be born. I love life. I believe in having a loving care and respect for life and death. My faith and my science are what drives these beliefs in me. Quoting from Jeremiah, ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’”

Harbaugh said “In God’s plan, each unborn human truly has a future filled with potential, talent, dreams, and love. I have living proof in my family, my children, and the many thousands that I’ve coached that the unborn are amazing gifts from God to make this world a better place.”

Abortion isn’t the only issue that he has talked about that has brought him controversy.

He has given praise to Donald Trump about fighting the establishment but also criticized him for wanting Kaepernick to be fired and wanting to defund federal legal aid that helps poor defendants.

Harbaugh has been contradictory about Kaepernick by expressing vocal opposition to the kneeling, yet supporting Kaepernick, a former player, as a quarterback and a friend. Kaepernick, for his part, is appreciative and says it shows you who Coach Harbaugh is and how he loves you as a person.

And before most others did, Harbaugh welcomed gay players. Harbaugh did so as coach for the 49ers and also at Stanford. His acceptance of gay athletes might be a result of having a gay son.

Harbaugh took Wolverine players to the Vatican to see the Pope and give him a Michigan helmet and Nike maize and blue shoes.

He also marched in a George Floyd protest in Ann Arbor.

Harbaugh seems to be on the frontlines of many issues and isn’t afraid to say what he wants to say and be who he is without fear of being cancelled.

He is, perhaps, like many other Americans who don’t really want to “pick a side” in politics because they aren’t 100% on board with everything either side stands for.

But during an election year, voters have to weigh the issues and decide which things are more important to them and who they trust more to protect their livelihoods, their rights and their very lives.

Harbaugh has pointed out that there are zealots on both sides of the aisle but he doesn’t seem to be afraid of them or their opinions.

Harbaugh said at the pro-life fundraiser, “what kind of person are you if you don’t fight tooth and nail for what you stand for? You get to change hearts by fighting for what you stand for.”

And in that vein, I will say that the Michigan football team is NOT the best college football team in the country. It’s Alabama. Harbaugh is NOT the best college football coach. Nick Saban is.

Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovaioloa, Mac Jones and Bryce Young. THAT is what you get when you have outstanding talent and high-level magnificent coaching.

Roll tide.