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Former pro wrestler offers powerful life messages to students

Posted: Oct 1st 2016 By: Sarah Moore

Professional wrestling legend Jeff Jarrett was in Timmins on Friday, where he delivered a message of faith, perseverance and following one’s dreams to the students at École secondaire catholique Thériault.

“It was a quiet audience and as a teacher for the last 20 years, if you have a captivated audience, that means they are listening,” said Michael Patry, who teaches at the school and is also a local wrestling promoter. “He always has a humble message but it’s always a powerful message. Being one of the rare faith-based wrestlers in the industry was good for the students here at Thériault to hear another message and to just solidify what they hear in the classroom.”

Jarrett is best known for his time as a professional wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation, now known as World Wrestling Entertainment.

After stepping out of the ring, he became the owner of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Global Force Wrestling, and is here in Timmins to promote his milestone wrestling card event at Thériault tonight (Saturday), in conjunction with local company Max Pro Wrestling.

When asked to speak to the students in advance of the match, Jarrett jumped at the chance.

“It’s something I enjoy doing,” Jarrett, a Hendersonville, Tenn., native, said. “When I get a chance to come in and connect with the community — you find out that’s the thing you really remember. It’s not so much you remember if it’s a sold out house or venue — it’s the connection with the community.”

After delivering a short speech, he turned to the crowd for a question-and-answer session.

While one student asked if the WWE was fake (which Jarrett responded to by lamenting, ‘There’s one in every crowd’), the majority of the questions showed a genuine interest in Jarrett’s content.

“The thing I really tried to impress, and I do it with my own kids, and with myself, is wake up and be happy and really follow your heart and your dreams and your passion,” Jarrett said. “If you’re happy, so many good things can happen with a positive outlook on life.”

He also told the crowd to put a strong focus on their faith, their family and their relationships, to not chase a career with the sole goal of attaining fame and fortune, and to never make any excuses. Finally, he said that it’s important to work to better yourself every day and to not let negative influences bring you down.

Overall, Patry said the speech was one that resonated with his students.

“I think he struck a chord with the students and I truly believe he’s made a difference today,” he said.