[4] With his brothers, James played for Wunghnu in the Picola & District Football League.
After a broken jaw ended his playing career, James turned to umpiring.
[5][6] As an umpire, James faced abuse from spectators on the basis of his racial background.
[1] Glenn James taught graphic arts at Box Hill Technical College from the 1970s–1980s.
[12] James commentates AFL matches for the National Indigenous Radio Service.