John Harbaugh stood on the MetLife Stadium sideline for the first time as New York Giants head coach on Saturday afternoon, and the moment registered as more than a standard preseason opener.
Asked about the feeling of coaching his first game with the franchise, Harbaugh acknowledged how easy it is to get locked into the day-to-day details and miss the bigger picture.
“There’s meaning to a lot of things, and you’re so wrapped up in the game,” he told reporters. “Even coming over here this morning, seeing the guys, the meeting last night, talking to guys before the game, because it’s a game. And sometimes you just take a minute.”
His wife had sent him a text earlier that day with a simple reminder to recognize the occasion and enjoy it.
“This is – it's a moment, understand what this means and enjoy it, and be encouraging and be upbeat,” Harbaugh said, sharing the message. “And this is a big beginning in our lives. And I feel that way for the organization. I feel that way for the team, the guys, and I feel that way for the coaches. I feel that way for our families and for me personally. It was a good start.”
Harbaugh said he was proud of the way his players competed in the first live game action of the preseason. The staff will still break down the tape play by play and player by player, but the opening day already carried the sense of a meaningful beginning for the organization, the coaching staff, the roster and the families connected to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: First game as New York Giants coach carried deep meaning for John Harbaugh