Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, has gone through major medical procedures this offseason. He went on to successfully navigate a cardiac ablation and his hip replacement surgery. With Harbaugh now 61, health has become Job #1 for his successor. He has had bouts of atrial flutter, a form of irregular heartbeat, that have required multiple interventions.
Harbaugh had been through three episodes of atrial flutter in the past. One notable instance occurred during the Seattle Seahawks’ Week 6 game last season against the Denver Broncos. Throughout the course of that game, he was forced to leave the field multiple times in order to receive treatment. Paramedics treated him in the locker room, where they were able to return his heart to a regular rhythm. It was an incredible return to the sidelines during the first quarter of the game by him. Perhaps no action more clearly demonstrated his steadfast devotion to the club. After this incident, Harbaugh had to wear a heart monitor for two weeks, just to be safe.
The cardiac ablation procedure was meant to fix his persistent atrial flutter. This potentially life-saving intervention works to restore the heart’s normal rhythm and decrease the likelihood of any additional, severe complications. Harbaugh’s decision to proceed with this relatively complex surgical procedure shows the depths of his resolve to do whatever it takes to stay on the sideline.
Harbaugh had double hip replacement surgery, which eliminated a noticeable limp he had developed before the surgery occurred. The successful surgery has taken care of that limp, it seems, and now he’s able to run around much more easily. Harbaugh’s health challenges have not deterred him from his role. In October, he expressed his dedication by stating, “It would take my heart stopping for me not to be out there on the sideline.”
Both procedures will increase Harbaugh’s quality of life and ability to coach at an optimal level. His dedication to his health exemplifies his love for the game and for his squad. As he continues to recover from these surgeries, he is the picture of resilience and willpower that has defined his coaching career.
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