Among the 85,000+ agents at eXp Realty across the globe, there are many notable celebrities, including Terrell Thomas, a former NFL cornerback and Super Bowl XLVI champion with the NFL’s New York Giants.
A Life Beyond Football
Thomas’s name first rang out on the field at the University of Southern California, where he helped secure two National Championships for the Trojans while majoring in Public Policy and Development, with an emphasis in real estate.
If that combination of athletic dominance and academic rigor seems rare, it’s because it is. Even while his teammates celebrated victories, Thomas was preparing for something beyond football.
“I always knew the game wouldn’t last forever,” he says now, reflecting on his time at USC. “I wanted to set myself up for a meaningful career beyond the field.”
Thomas was drafted in the second round by the New York Giants and quickly became a key player. In 2012, he earned the ultimate accolade: a Super Bowl ring, en route to the team’s victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI. But as with so many NFL careers, injuries proved an obstacle. In Thomas’s case, they were monumental — three ACL tears — yet he defied the odds, becoming one of two players in league history to return to the field after such setbacks.
Terrell Thomas has a standout career with USC (left) before taking his skills to the pro level with the NY Giants.
“It was about more than football,” he says of his recovery. “It was about proving to myself that I could overcome anything.”
The Business of Reinvention
When Thomas retired from the NFL, he didn’t just hang up his cleats — he shifted into business with the same drive that made him a star on the field. First, he served as a regional sales director for a start-up spirits company, mastering negotiation and marketing. Then came his venture as the owner of a high-end barbershop, where he redefined the customer experience through digital engagement and innovative strategies.
But real estate had always been in the back of his mind. In 2008, shortly after being drafted, he purchased his first property, sparking a love for investing that only grew over the years. By the time he earned his MBA from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in 2022, the stars had aligned for him to take the leap into real estate full-time.
“Earning my MBA was a turning point,” Thomas says. “It gave me the business acumen to match my passion for real estate.”
A New Chapter with eXp Realty
In 2023, Thomas acquired his real estate license and joined Paradigm Property Advisors, based in Los Angeles and led by his lifelong friend and former USC alumnus, Jahi Johnson.
“Jahi is like my little big brother,” Thomas says, laughing. “We’ve been through so much together — on the field and off. Joining his team at eXp Realty just felt right.”
The move to eXp Realty wasn’t just about personal connections. Thomas was drawn to the brokerage’s forward-thinking model, which combines cutting-edge technology, revenue-sharing opportunities, and a collaborative culture.
“eXp Realty is redefining what it means to be a real estate professional,” he says. “It’s about innovation, but also about building something bigger — something lasting and being on the right side of technology.”
The Bigger Picture
Today, Thomas combines his business expertise, real estate knowledge, and personal experience as an investor to guide clients through the often-daunting world of buying and selling property.
“I love helping people achieve their dreams through real estate,” he says. “It’s about more than transactions — it’s about creating wealth, security, and opportunities for families.”
When he’s not helping clients or building his business, Thomas spends time mentoring high school student-athletes, golfing, and cherishing moments with his family.
For a man who’s overcome staggering odds and reinvented himself time and again, the future looks brighter than ever. As he forges ahead with eXp Realty, Thomas’s story serves as a powerful reminder that preparation, perseverance, and passion can carry you far — whether you’re on the gridiron or in the ever-changing world of real estate.
