Seven-feet tall WWE Hall of Famer, current Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs visited Friday

Glenn Jacobs addressed seniors at Campbell County High School (above) and at the Homer Rutherford Learning Academy (below) on Friday morning.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Glenn Jacobs was bullied as a child. Glenn Jacobs missed out on big time college basketball because of an injury. Glenn Jacobs failed his physical with the Chicago Bears. Really? Really! “It’s been said that success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm. That’s absolutely true. You have to keep getting back up no matter what life throws at you. You have to keep trying, because if you don’t you’re never going to be able to reach your goals and dreams,” said Jacobs as he spoke with Campbell County High School Students on Friday morning.

See the full photo gallery HERE from WLAF’s Charlie Hutson.

Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs shared encouragement, advice and his life’s story on Friday with seniors at Campbell County High School in the school’s auditorium.

Jacobs is the Mayor of Knox County and was the special guest of Campbell County High School U-S Government teacher Josh Parker. Jacobs spoke to the seniors in the auditorium and then addressed students at the Homer Rutherford Learning Academy gymnasium.

Glenn Jacobs, left, with Josh Parker. Parker has known Jacobs for years and coordinated Jacobs’ schedule with Chris Caldwell, Knox County Director of Finance, for Friday’s visit. Caldwell is a CCHS Alum.

The WWE Hall of Famer shared his life’s story so students could learn of all the challenges and hurdles he overcame to succeed. Jacobs’ story served as the foundation for his talk.

The wrestling idea came from a friend. “I knew some of the wrestlers, but a friend of mine was a huge fan, and we were watching wrestling one day, and he said, “you need to do that,” said Jacobs. I didn’t know if he was kidding or not, but I thought I’m big enough and athletic enough to do that, and that’s where it began,” said Jacobs.

Jacobs explained that the thing that makes you most successful is interpersonal relationships, and your pathway is through education and training.

“Showing up to work on time or showing up at all and how you treat people are what we call soft skills. All those things; they’re not soft skills, they are the most important thing. Those skills are universal, no matter what you do. Those are going to be a great benefit to you,” said Jacobs.

Glenn Jacobs chats with students as everyone is gathering for a group photo.

“Success to me, doesn’t mean you go out and make a lot of money. That’d be great. It doesn’t mean you go out and become famous or become a celebrity. If that’s what you want you to do, wonderful. I believe success in life means that you lead a life that brings you meaning and purpose, and that’s going to be different for everybody. You have to define what success means to you,” said Jacobs.

“My goal in visiting with you is for you all to be able to take something I say here today and apply it to your own life,” said Jacobs. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-10/06/2025-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF WLAF’S CHARLIE HUTSON)

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