The Harbaughs and 5 More Sibling Rivalries In Sports

This year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans may have pitted two head coach brothers, the San Francisco 49ers’ Jim Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens’ John Harbaugh, against each other for the first time in the NFL’s title game, but it wasn’t the first time that siblings have faced off in championship situations. Here are some other brothers and sisters who have gone head-to-head in big events.

[Video: Harbaugh vs. Harbaugh NFL Rush Zone cartoon]

Ken and Clete Boyer
In 1964, Clete was appearing in his fifth World Series with the New York Yankees, but this time it was against his brother Ken and the St. Louis Cardinals. In Game 7, Ken hit a double and a home run to lead the Cards to the World Series crown. Clete also homered in the game to make the Boyers the first brothers to hit home runs in the same World Series.

Steve and Phil Mahre
The Mahre twins dominated the slopes together, beating each other along the way. Phil won three overall World Cup titles, and Steve became the first U.S. male to earn a world championship when he won the giant slalom in 1982. At the 1984 Olympics, Phil took home gold, while Steve, finishing .21 of a second behind his brother, won silver.

Scott and Rob Niedermayer
In 2003, Scott, a defenseman for the New Jersey Devils, and Rob, a right wing for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, met in the Stanley Cup finals. It was the first time brothers had played against each other in the finals since 1946. The Devils won in seven games, but four years later the brothers hoisted the Cup together as teammates on the Ducks.

Serena and Venus Williams
The most dominant sister act in tennis, Venus and Serena have 22 Grand Slam singles titles between them. They’ve played against each other in eight Slam finals, with little sister Serena beating Venus six times. But the two are not always foes. As a doubles team they’ve won 13 Grand Slams and three Olympic gold medals.

Jerome and Kevin-Prince Boateng
The 2010 World Cup saw a remarkable first: Two brothers on the pitch at the same time playing for different countries. Defender Jerome appeared for his native Germany, while midfielder Kevin-Prince chose to represent his father’s country of Ghana. Germany won 1–0 and went on to finish third in the tournament.