Sports columnist

Mirjam Swanson

Mirjam Swanson is a sports columnist for the Southern California News Group. For the previous four years, she covered the Clippers, the NBA and the L.A. Sparks. Before that, she wrote about LeBron James and the rest of the Dream Team at the 2004 Olympics (where, yes, they took bronze), Tiger Woods winning the U.S. Open on one leg, and also had a tour reporting on city government, education and the occasional bear in a backyard

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, has nothing but praise for quarterback Justin Herbert, right, and wants to put the best team around him that they can in the seasons ahead so they can avoid playoff exits like their lopsided loss in Houston last weekend. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Swanson: Think Justin Herbert is overrated? Jim Harbaugh thinks you’re wrong

January 15, 2025 at 6:08 p.m.

The Chargers’ head coach was right to stand up for his quarterback again Wednesday: “He’s the opposite of a house plant. He’s field corn.”

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, left, leads his team into Houston to take on quarterback C.J. Stroud, right, and the Texans in an AFC playoff opener on Saturday afternoon. (Photos by The Associated Press)

Swanson: Chargers-Texans prediction? I just hope everyone has fun

January 11, 2025 at 6:52 a.m.

Two teams on opposite trajectories are going to play a high-stakes, no-stakes football game Saturday in Houston. Let’s hope this AFC wild-card clash is a good one.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, center, sheds a Denver Broncos defender as he scrambles for a first down during the second half Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at SoFi Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Orange County /SCNG)

Swanson: Chargers, Justin Herbert mount resounding response

December 19, 2024 at 10:47 p.m.

Coming off consecutive losses and trailing at halftime of this one, the Chargers and their QB muscle their way to a comeback win against the Broncos and keep alive their...

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, right, greets his brother and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, left, at midfield after the Ravens defeated the Chargers, 30-23, on Monday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Swanson: Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh’s day is coming against older brother, John

November 25, 2024 at 10:24 p.m.

Jim’s work-in-progress Chargers are coming along in a real way – as John has seen happen before at Stanford, in San Francisco and at Michigan, before seeing it again in...

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Swanson: Chargers start hot, go cold and still come out winners

November 18, 2024 at 3:50 a.m.

The Chargers survive a wild 34-27 thriller against the Bengals for their fourth consecutive win, proving they can bend without breaking after blowing a 21-point lead.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones sacks Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert in the second half of the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Swanson: Chargers’ QB Justin Herbert is a gamer, and you’ve got to respect it

September 30, 2024 at 8:58 a.m.

Despite being limited with a high ankle sprain, the quarterback played the entire game as his team pushed the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs before falling, 17-10.

Jay Reifel, left, and his daughter Emily Reifel haven't missed a Rose Bowl in Pasadena for, respectively, 64 and 30 years.

Mirjam Swanson: 65 Rose Bowls in a row is a family tradition unlike any other

December 31, 2023 at 8:38 p.m.

It’s true, the adage about good things — sports’ most glorious streaks included. Ripken’s ended eventually, at 2,632; DiMaggio’s went 56; UCLA men’s basketball’s reached 88. Reifel’s likely goes 65.Monday...

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