Terrence Murphy Went From NFL Player To Businessman — ‘I’ve Built, Acquired, Or Invested In 110 Companies’

Former NFL player Terrence Murphy has always maintained an entrepreneurial spirit.

Athletic Career

The 12th Man Foundation reports that the Texas native was raised by a single mother, and he was inspired by her to work hard so he started a lawn mowing business at age 12. His mother would drive him to parts of the city to “mow, weedeat, and pick up trash” at properties like doctors’ and dentists’ offices.

His work ethic also translated into the world of sports. While he was interested in baseball and played basketball, football stuck with him. He was a star player at Chapel Hill High School in East Texas and performed well academically, leading him to land various college offers, according to Atlético Dallas. He ultimately pledged his loyalty to his home state and selected Texas A&M University, playing as a wide receiver for a team that made it to the Cotton Bowl by his senior year. 

“My last game in an Aggie uniform, my last time putting on an Aggie helmet, was here at the Cotton Bowl. After a storied career — 2x All American, 2x First Team All-Big 12, 3x Academic All-Big 12, 2x Team Captain, and a multitude of school records — my last game in the maroon and white was at the Cotton Bowl,” he told Atlético Dallas.

In 2005, the Green Bay Packers drafted Murphy in the second NFL draft round. According to Spotrac, he was signed to a five-year deal valued at $3.4 million. However, an injury cut Murphy’s athletic career short, but his business career was only beginning. His website mentions that he started investing in Texas real estate in 2006 and was a limited partner with Stillwater Capital. Areas of investment interest were multi-family and high-density residential developments.

TM5 Properties

His wife, Erica, a University of Texas at Austin graduate, also obtained a real estate license. The pair entered business together when they moved to College Station, TX, in 2008. According to Murphy’s website, they created student housing, multi-family, and high-end residential developments in areas including Traditions and Greens Prairie Reserve. The couple launched TM5 Properties, which has authority in the Bryan and College Station real estate market of Texas. Murphy states, per Atlético Dallas, that in under eight years, the venture generated $1.5 billion in sales.

According to the 12th Man Foundation, to accelerate its growth nationally, it merged with eXp Realty. Sales have reached more than $2.5 billion over 8,500 transactions.

“We are passionate about growth, and we have worked hard,” Murphy told the 12th Man Foundation. “We built it from an idea I wrote on a napkin — literally — and just prayed over it. When we started we didn’t have a road map. We just stepped out in faith and did it. We love growing our companies, and the communities have seen the value in what we’re doing.”

Portfolio

Murphy’s personal portfolio and assets under TM5 Equity Partners encompass close to 1,000 rental units. On his own, Murphy has also sold over 70 properties in transactions worth over $1 million each. Additionally, he launched Terrence Murphy Companies, which has invested in companies including Numerade, Stage Ten, and Hello Alice, a fintech platform founded in 2017 by Elizabeth Gore and Carolyn Rodz that has distributed $50 million in grants to small business owners, AFROTECH™ previously reported. Other sectors under the Terrence Murphy Companies umbrella include:

Terrence Murphy Companies’ portfolio companies have raised over $550 million in capital, are estimated to be worth more than $5 billion, and include six exits. 

“I have recently surpassed these milestones in my career: $5B in sales and acquisitions, and I’ve built, acquired, or invested in 110 companies under the Terrence Murphy Companies portfolio,” Murphy said, according to Atlético Dallas.

Atlético Dallas

As for Murphy’s latest update, he now has a stake in the Atlético Dallas ownership group. The soccer team was announced in 2024 and will begin playing in the United Soccer League Championship in 2027, a press release highlighted.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a generational soccer club in Texas, and I’m excited to be a part of it. I’m Terrence Murphy. Atlético plays for Dallas,” he said, per Atlético Dallas.