Tyler Whetstone | Knoxville

Knoxville News Sentinel

Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

Knox County Mayor-elect and former WWE wrestler Glenn Jacobs, who goes by the stage name Kane, says he has never used steroids and doesn’t condone their use.

The soon-to-be mayor, who is being sworn in Friday, answered questions about the drugs, which are illegal in Tennessee without a prescription, after a Pennsylvania man authored a complaint addressed to the Tennessee Attorney General and the Tennessee Bureau of Ethics and Finance on Tuesday.

Man claims Jacobs profited from steroids, 'Kane' name

Al Thompson authored the letter and disseminated it to local media outlets. He is the founder of Protect Our Youth from Steroids (POYS).

Writing a complaint letter is different than filing a formal complaint with the state and any investigation would not begin with the state attorney general but rather with Knox County.

In his letter, Thompson attempts to connect Jacobs to WWE’s “rampant steroid use,” saying “Jacobs was perfectly fine with, for many years, surrounding himself with steroid users plus illicit drug and steroid dealers every day while on tour … Jacobs’ duties, as I understand it, will include some oversight over law enforcement in Knox County.”

Angela M. Gosnell, Knoxville News Sentinel

Jacobs will have no oversight over the day-to-day operations of the sheriff's office. Sheriff-elect Tom Spangler oversees the sheriff’s office and is an entirely separate elected position.

In an interview with the News Sentinel earlier this week, Jacobs said he has never used steroids.

Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

Jacobs: 'I do not condone steroid use'

“I do not condone steroid use or the use of any illicit drugs,” he said. “I think that’s very bad. I’m a bit of a health nut, and I just think it’s just really bad. No, I’d never do that.”

Thompson also alleges Jacobs’ use of the WWE stage name “Kane” should have been listed as a campaign donation and said Jacobs supports steroids because he accepted $6,000 in campaign contributions from WWE-affiliated members including WWE CEO Vince McMahon and his wife, Linda.

Jacobs said he was proud to have the support of McMahon.

“Well, one of (those donations) was from the administrator of the Small Business Administration of the United States (McMahon’s wife, Linda). So, I’m pretty proud of that … it’s always nice when someone from the President’s Cabinet supports your political endeavor. I’m just very happy and proud to have their support, that’s what matters to me.”

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Knox County Mayor-Elect Glenn Jacobs prepares for office

In the early 1990s, McMahon was involved in a major drug scandal and was indicted in federal court for distributing steroids to wrestlers. He was later acquitted of the charges. In 1991, Pennsylvania doctor George Zahorian was convicted of supplying steroids to wrestlers.

Among other issues on the campaign trail like technical education and improving Knox County's economy, Jacobs promised to combat the county's opioid epidemic immediately.

“When we look at the opioid issue, it’s putting an enormous amount of stress on our finances, especially at the detention center, and that’s something we’re going to have to deal with in a short order," he said Tuesday.

Jacobs might still wrestle while mayor

Jacobs wouldn’t rule out returning to the WWE ring while serving as Knox County mayor, saying he “could” wrestle again, but his main focus, as he has said before, is bringing a pay per view WWE showing to Knoxville, though he said he has not spoken to WWE officials about this possibility.

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