The game had been decided, and with about 50 seconds remaining the Giants were taking the second of the three kneel-downs to make it official.
John Harbaugh was accepting and offering congratulations on the sideline, and he spotted Tyrone Tracy Jr., the player who was benched after halftime for losing a fumble near the end of the second quarter.
Harbaugh grabbed Tracy by the collar and pulled him in for a hug. The coach wrapped an arm around Tracy’s head as the player patted Harbaugh’s back. They smiled, and Harbaugh whispered something in Tracy’s ear before grasping both sides of his face — a gesture filled with affection.
We are finding out why Harbaugh has been a consistent winner in the NFL.
