NEW ORLEANS — A comedian Jim Harbaugh is not. Or at least that is the perception that many who spend time observing him generally take away.

He’s obviously a pretty serious individual who doesn’t suffer fools when it comes to communicating. Maybe he’s a little different behind closed doors or when not performing his job as the head coach of the 49ers. But when he talks about his team in postgame press conferences, he’s generally pretty to the point and avoids giving too many details.

Maybe there’s something in the air in New Orleans, but Harbaugh appeared loose at times when he addressed the assembled media at the New Orleans Marriott on Monday afternoon. Please note the “at times” proviso in the previous sentence. He did cast a perplexed look occasionally when asked a question he didn’t fully understand or appreciate. But there was progress, and he earned some big laughs with a few of his answers.

One of the bigger story lines that foreshadowed Super Bowl week was President Barack Obama’s comments on whether he would allow a son of his to play football, given growing concerns about the long-term health effects the sport can have on players.

Harbaugh referenced his own four-month-old son, Jack, in the answer.

“Well I have a four-month old, almost five-month old son, Jack Harbaugh, and if President Obama feels that way, then there will be a little bit less competition for Jack Harbaugh when he gets old,” the coach said, drawing laughs from the assembled media. “It’s still early. Like I said, Jack is only five months old. He is a really big kid. He has an enormous head. We don’t have a 40 on him yet, but his wingspan is plus one, and as soon as he grows into that head he is going to be something. It’s early, but expectations are high for young Jack.”