Video: Jim Harbaugh Gets Live Tattoo for Michigan Championship, ‘Impervious to Pain’

Adam WellsApril 20, 2024

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Before fully saying goodbye to Michigan, Jim Harbaugh returned to Ann Arbor on Saturday for the ring ceremony to celebrate the Wolverines’ national title and to fulfill a promise he made after they completed a perfect season in 2023.

Harbaugh got the Michigan “M” and “15-0” tattooed on his right arm, while making sure to note he is “impervious to pain” when he was sitting in the chair getting his fresh ink.

JJ McCarthy Fan @JJOneOfOneJim Harbaugh while getting National Championship tattoo:

“I’m impervious to pain.” pic.twitter.com/niMYqVliuy

James T. Yoder @JamesYoderJim Harbaugh is back in Ann Arbor today for the national title ring ceremony…

And got his tattoo he promised pic.twitter.com/WLUR3pdCiq

Michigan team chaplain Robby Emery posted a picture of the finished product:

Anthony Broome @anthonytbroome🚨 Jim Harbaugh got the tattoo (from Robby Emery’s instagram) pic.twitter.com/vHaYlH1njt

After Michigan’s 34-13 victory over Washington in the College Football Playoff Championship Game, Harbaugh told reporters he promised his players he would get a tattoo to commemorate the season:

“I have no ink on my body. No tattoos anywhere, but I did say that to our players. I said if we go 15-0, I’m getting a tattoo. It’s 15-0. I’m going to put it on my shoulder, I don’t know if it’s my left or right yet. I’m a right-handed quarterback. I’ll probably get it on my right. And then an M too, an M that’s maize and blue M. Also that signifies a thousand in Roman numerals.”

The Roman numeral for 1,000 adds another layer of meaning to the tattoo. Michigan became the first college football program to win 1,000 games with its 31-24 victory over Maryland on Nov. 18.

Harbaugh didn’t coach against the Terrapins because he was suspended by the Big Ten stemming from the alleged sign-stealing scandal involving former staffer Connor Stalions.

Last season marked Michigan’s first national title since 1997. Its 15 wins set a new program record for most in a single season, surpassing the previous record of 13 set in 2022.

Harbaugh left the Wolverines on Jan. 24 when he was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers as their new head coach. The move marks his return to the NFL after parting ways with the San Francisco 49ers following the 2014 season.

The 60-year-old Harbaugh went 86-25 with three Big Ten titles and one national title in nine seasons as head coach at his alma mater.