Knox County mayor addresses the NCAA in legal battle vs. Tennessee
Knox County mayor Glenn Jacobs enjoyed a Hall of Fame career with the WWE. Operating under the handle "Kane", he made a living slamming opponents onto the mat. It seems that wrestlers aren't the only ones getting slammed by Jacobs these days. The mayor took to Twitter/X on Monday to share a letter he penned […]
Knox County mayor Glenn Jacobs enjoyed a Hall of Fame career with the WWE. Operating under the handle "Kane", he made a living slamming opponents onto the mat.
It seems that wrestlers aren't the only ones getting slammed by Jacobs these days.
The mayor took to Twitter/X on Monday to share a letter he penned to the NCAA regarding its investigation against the University of Tennessee that exploded onto the scene on January 30.
Jacobs, who was elected as Knox County mayor in August 2018 and re-elected in August 2022, reiterates a key quote from UT chancellor Donde Plowman's explosive letter dated January 30. That letter came out the same day news of the pending NCAA investigation against Tennessee broke last Tuesday.
Jacobs also referenced the "byzantine set of overlapping rules of guidance" as mentioned by Tennessee attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti in the state's lawsuit.
"I understand that the NCAA has a responsibility to uphold the rules and regulations of college athletics, but I also believe the University has taken all necessary steps to comply with these regulations.
"I urge you to consider the positive impact that the University of Tennessee has on our community and to consider the university's track record regarding allegations the school endured in the past. I am confident that the University of Tennessee will continue to act with integrity and honestly, and I hope you will reevaluate these absurd allegations."
Given the nature of the pending lawsuit, it's basically impossible for the NCAA to back down from their investigation of the University of Tennessee and all other NIL-related investigations. Tennessee and Virginia called the NCAA's hand, and the latter can't fold now without looking weak and ceding a large amount of control of its affairs.
As such, Jacobs' letter – and any others urging the NCAA to back off its investigation – will fall on blind eyes.
However, it's still nice to know that when push comes to shove, the Big Red Machine – as Jacobs was also known in his wrestling days – will go to the mat for the Big Orange.
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