Sports

Joking Johnny pranks his folks

An already unprecedented national conference call yesterday took an unexpected turn when a caller seemed to show some disrespect to Jack and Jackie Harbaugh, the parents of Super Bowl XLVII head coaches Jim and John Harbaugh.

Interspersed with the predictable questions about what the boys were like growing up and who the parents will be rooting for during the big game was the moderator announcing a call from “John in Baltimore.’’

The caller asked: “Is it true that both of you like Jim better than John?’’

Taken aback, Jackie instantly said “We do not …’’ before she was interrupted by her daughter, Joani Crean, who was also on the call. Crean, the wife of Indiana University men’s basketball coach Tom Crean, is the younger sister of John and Jim.

“Is that John?’’ Joani asked, recognizing her brother’s voice.

Yes, it was John Harbaugh, pranking his family’s conference call.

“Is that John Harbaugh?’’ Jack asked his son over the phone. “Mom was ready to come right through this phone, I’m so happy Joani recognized your voice.’’

John Harbaugh liked what he heard.

“Got the fighting spirit up, that’s the way it should be, alright,’’ John said.

“Hey John, [wife Jackie] grabbed my arm and she was reaching for the phone,’’ Jack said.

“Not the first time that happened,’’ John said. “You guys are doing great, it’s been fun listening to a couple of minutes here. You guys are very articulate and doing a great job and you know what, I got to go to practice now, they’re calling me right now. Good to hear your voices. We’ll talk to you later, love you both. Love you Joani.’’

paul.schwartz@nypost.com