Thomas spent 11 seasons with the Browns before retiring in 2018 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. Farm Progress has also reported on Thomas’ work on the farm and his approach to raising cattle.
His interest in farming grew while he was still playing, eventually leading him to build a substantial agricultural operation with his family, according to Fox News. Former Cleveland Browns star Joe Thomas has taken an unexpected turn after retiring from football, trading the NFL field for life on a Wisconsin farm. The Pro Football Hall of Famer is the owner of Hall of Fame Farms, a cattle operation located in the state’s Driftless Region.
He purchased the original property in 2012, while still playing for Cleveland, and initially started with just a handful of cattle. Thomas, who grew up in Wisconsin, has spoken about wanting to own land long before his NFL career ended.
Selected third overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2007 NFL Draft, he played his entire 11-season career in Cleveland. Thomas made 10 consecutive Pro Bowls, earned six first-team All-Pro selections and played 10,363 consecutive offensive snaps. The Pro Football Hall of Fame lists him as a member of its Class of 2023.
Farm Progress reported earlier this year that Thomas and his farm team emphasize nutrition and individual attention when caring for the herd. Farm Progress similarly reported that Thomas’ team places considerable emphasis on nutrition and individual care for the cattle.
Its cattle are pasture-raised before being corn-finished, while the farm uses selected genetics and a nutrition programme developed with a cattle nutritionist, according to Hall of Fame Farms. The company also says it works with Full Blood Wagyu genetics. The transition also reflects a broader change in Thomas’ life after football. Following his retirement, he became increasingly interested in food, nutrition and the way cattle are raised. Thomas’ football résumé gives the farm its distinctive name. The numbers remain remarkable. The cattle operation focuses on both Wagyu and Certified Angus beef. The farm’s approach is built around low-stress handling and close attention to animal care. The business now sells a range of beef products, including Wagyu steaks, Certified Angus beef, smoked meats and beef tallow. Its online operation allows customers to order cuts directly from the brand. For Thomas, farming represents a second chapter rather than a complete break from his sporting career. The precision and consistency that defined his time in the NFL have become part of how he describes his approach to cattle.