Jim Harbaugh Tried to Explain What ‘Bet’ Means and College Football Fans Were Perplexed
One word has been used repeatedly by Michigan football players this season: Bet.
The players began posting this word after the Big Ten conference banned coach Jim Harbaugh from coaching on the field. Apparently the word caught on to Harbaugh, who shouted “Bet!” after the Wolverines captured the Big Ten title on Saturday over Iowa.
Junfu Han/USA TODAY Network
After Michigan was selected as the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff standings on Sunday, Harbaugh used “bet” again, but his explanation of the word made fans realize he doesn’t exactly know what it means.
“Our players came up with this ‘Bet, Bet,’” Harbaugh said on the ESPN CFP Show. “I even had to look up what it means. But what it means to me is ‘Bringing everyone together,’ and that’s what our team has done. So, bet.”
Jim Harbaugh on the meaning of “Bet” to Michigan football ???? pic.twitter.com/iQrvfbZJxT
— ESPN (@espn) December 3, 2023
In the context of which the players use “bet,” it’s in reference to the slang meaning of “okay” or agreeing with someone, but often in a sarcastic tone.
The college football world began roasting Harbaugh’s new meaning of the word, especially as this shows the coach’s age in comparison to the players.
Harbaugh is going to dab after a win next https://t.co/HmyaH4PjQw
— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) December 3, 2023
he turned it into an acronym you could not coachspeak harder than this https://t.co/HA8ITjBe7S
— BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL (@edsbs) December 3, 2023
I'm sorry, did I just hear Jim Harbaugh say bet means "bringing everyone together"???
— Max Olson (@max_olson) December 3, 2023
Did Jim Harbaugh just say “bet” on national TV? pic.twitter.com/p0VRnAxg5V
— Sidelines - Bama (@SSN_Alabama) December 3, 2023
I don’t necessarily speak for all millennials, but someone should probably explain to Jim Harbaugh”Bet” does not mean “Bringing everyone together.”
— Ben Portnoy (@bportnoy15) December 3, 2023
Jim Harbaugh turned "BET" into Bringing. Everyone. Together.
— Brandon Brown (@BSB_Wolverine) December 3, 2023
Haha, pretty cool actually.
Bet = Bringing Everyone Together
— Ray Jr (@RaymondLucasJr) December 3, 2023
Jim Harbaugh is one of a kind.
Jim Harbaugh just told ESPN about a saying his players have: “bet.”
— Abby Johnston (@ajohnston12) December 3, 2023
“You’ll have to look up what it means.”
“The kids started this thing called ‘Bet.’ You’d have to look up what that means” God bless Jim Harbaugh, forever
— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) December 3, 2023
Jim Harbaugh said he had to look up what 'Bet' means?!?
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) December 3, 2023