A native of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, Jacobs graduated from the University of Maryland in 1942.
[1] He attended Duke University as was injured during a practiced as a freshman.
After transferring to Maryland, Jacob practiced with the football team, but did not letter.
He played professional football in 1941 with Newark Bears of the American Association.
In the spring of 1942, the Cleveland Rams of the National Football League (NFL) signed Jacobs to a contract, paying $150 per game for an 11-game season.