The phone call came in from an unknown number.
It was President Barack Obama.
The President called Head Coach John Harbaugh and General Manager Ozzie Newsome Tuesday to congratulate them on their Super Bowl XLVII victory.
Harbaugh had not thought about what he was going to say to the President. Yet the group had a laughter-filled conversation that lasted four minutes and 34 seconds.
"I just want to say congratulations," Obama said. "I know it was a bumpy season up and down. For you guys to stay steady the way you did is really a great feat."
Harbaugh thanked the president.
"I know you know this as much as anybody, but the greatest accomplishments are born of the greatest tribulations and adversity," Harbaugh said. "Our guys, they kind of proved that."
"Well you and me, we should try sometimes to do some things easy," Obama joked in response. "I'd like to know what it feels like. It's never happened to me."
The three men continued the comedic banter.
"It was really a great game. We're going to investigate who was behind that whole blackout thing though," Obama said with a chuckle. "I can only imagine what you were thinking. You were not happy I assume."
No, Harbaugh was not, at the time.
"There were a lot of theories here in Baltimore, conspiracy theories and things like that," Harbaugh said. "Thank goodness for a goal-line stand at the end."
The President and Newsome joked about the Ravens' general manager taking credit for Alabama's college football championship this year. They even talked about a high school recruit rescinding his commitment to Auburn to go to Alabama, showing Obama's in-depth sports knowledge.
Obama told them to tell quarterback Joe Flacco, running back Ray Rice, wide receiver Jacoby Jones and linebacker Ray Lewis how proud he was of them. Obama also said he saw the ESPN story on O.J. Brigance and wanted Harbaugh to pass along that he and First Lady Michelle Obama were inspired.
Obama's last request of Harbaugh was to say hi to his folks for him.
"It could not have been easy watching the two boys go at it like that," Obama said. "Let Jim know, and especially your dad and your mom, who just seem like wonderful people, let them know how proud of everybody was of the whole family."
Obama told Harbaugh to take a little time off and enjoy the moment before starting work on next season, an order John probably won't obey even though it's from the President.
"We're just like you," Harbaugh said. "You get elected and you go right back to work. We're right back to work this afternoon."
And with that, the president said he looks forward to seeing the team in person when they make the trip to the White House.
Harbaugh hung up the phone and looked around the room.
"Wow," he exclaimed.
