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UM Football Coach Jim Harbaugh Helps Police Clear Road in Ann Arbor

Storyful

Jim Harbaugh, the University of Michigan’s head football coach, stepped up to help police clear a blocked roadway in Ann Arbor during a winter storm that downed trees and power lines in the area on Wednesday, February 22.

According to police, around 8 pm “in the middle of the ice storm,” Ann Arbor Officer Howard Cooper was trying to remove a large tree blocking the intersection of Devonshire Road and Londonderry Road when a van pulled up.

“The driver then parked and got out of the vehicle,” the department wrote on Twitter. “To the surprise of Ofc Cooper, the good Samaritan was @CoachJim4UM who wanted to help clear the road. Ofc Cooper then gave Coach a pair of work gloves and the two of them went to work.”

Ann Arbor Police said that Harbaugh and Cooper managed to remove the fallen tree.

“After about ten minutes they were able to, inch by inch, get the entire tree moved to clear a lane for traffic to pass through,” police wrote. “We thank Coach Harbaugh for being a valued member of the Ann Arbor community and helping out Ofc Cooper.”

Talking to local media, Cooper said, “It’s not every day you have someone so willing to hop out and help you out, so that was awesome.” Credit: Ann Arbor Police via Storyful

Video transcript

[GRAVEL CRUNCHING]

HOWARD COOPER: Trying to snap it or move it?

JIM HARBAUGH: Yes. I'm trying to move it. And then--

HOWARD COOPER: Try to rotate? I don't know. I'm going to stand free of that. Maybe try to rotate it?

JIM HARBAUGH: Uh.

HOWARD COOPER: I don't know.

JIM HARBAUGH: Rotate it. Push it this way?

HOWARD COOPER: I guess, yeah.

JIM HARBAUGH: OK.

HOWARD COOPER: One, two, three--

[GRUNTING]

One, two, three.

[GRUNTING]

[GRAVEL CRUNCHING]

A little better. Cleared one lane, at least.

[GRAVEL CRUNCHING]

Hoo.

JIM HARBAUGH: You could use some there?

HOWARD COOPER: Ha. I appreciate you.

JIM HARBAUGH: That should do it.

HOWARD COOPER: Hoo.

[GRAVEL CRUNCHING]

Should do for a lane, yeah?

JIM HARBAUGH: Yeah. You can definitely get by there. For sure. Yeah. All right. What's your name?

HOWARD COOPER: Cooper.

JIM HARBAUGH: Cooper, nice to meet you.

HOWARD COOPER: You as well. Thank you, sir. You're a good man.

JIM HARBAUGH: Ah, hey, feel free to spread the word on that.

HOWARD COOPER: Ah, of course.

JIM HARBAUGH: I'm telling you, don't keep that to yourself.

[LAUGHTER]

[MUTED]

HOWARD COOPER: No way. You're a good guy. Hoo. Well, I appreciate you again, man.

JIM HARBAUGH: All right. Well, thanks for what you do, man.

HOWARD COOPER: Thank you.

JIM HARBAUGH: Appreciate that.

HOWARD COOPER: You have a good night.

JIM HARBAUGH: That works.

HOWARD COOPER: Yeah.