Joe Thomas, the Cleveland Browns' Hall of Fame offensive tackle, has spoken to OutKick Outdoors about his famous decision to skip the 2007 NFL Draft in favour of fishing with his father, as well as the health transformation and farming venture he has pursued since retiring in 2018. Thomas, who was picked third overall by the Browns while on Lake Michigan and only learned of his selection via a flip phone call, went on to a celebrated 11-year career before retirement forced him to confront the physical toll of playing at over 310 pounds.

After doctors warned he faced a knee replacement unless he lost weight, Thomas overhauled his diet, cutting processed foods, refined carbohydrates and seed oils in favour of intermittent fasting and high-quality proteins, resulting in reduced pain and a leaner physique. That same drive for perfectionism now shapes Hall of Fame Farms, his Wisconsin cattle operation producing Wagyu and Certified Angus beef, which he says he treats with the same rigorous standards he once applied to his own training. He describes the farm, and raising his four children there, as the reward for his football career.