CINCINNATI — Sunday’s game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Chargers will be the second meaningful in-person interaction between Cincinnati coach Zac Taylor and his Chargers counterpart, Jim Harbaugh.
The other one came nearly 32 years ago. That’s when a 9-year-old Taylor went to his first ever NFL practice and game and got a picture with none other than Harbaugh. The Taylor family took a trip to Chicago to see the Bears, then quarterbacked by Harbaugh, take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Harbaugh posed for a photo with Taylor and his brother, Press, who is now the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mysteriously one day a few years back, when Taylor was an assistant with the Miami Dolphins and Harbaugh was the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, the picture reappeared at this residence.
This time, it was signed.
“My grandfather [Bill Burkett] thought that Jim Harbaugh needed to know that the two kids in the picture are now NFL coaches,” Taylor said. “And so he kept sending it to the 49ers and was getting no response. I’m sure a secretary, somebody, eventually signed it and sent it back. And so it shows up on my doorstep in Miami.”
Other memories from that trip to Chicago included seeing a Bulls game (Michael Jordan and Co. were in the midst of a four-game homestand) and watching William “The Fridge” Perry riding around in a golf cart and throwing snowballs at people.
The next day, Taylor saw the Bears beat the Steelers, 30-6, with Harbaugh throwing for 90 yards and a touchdown in the win.
On Sunday, the two men will be peers. Cincinnati (4-6) will also be looking for a win to boost its playoff hopes.
The Bengals’ offense, which has been solid throughout the season, will face a Chargers defense that Taylor knows is among the best in the NFL.
“They’re No. 1 in about most of the categories that you see,” Taylor said. “It’s a great test for us and our guys are going to be really excited for the opportunity.”