Retired Winnipeg Blue Bomber, UAB defensive lineman Bryant Turner Jr., tackles Birmingham real estate game at ARC Realty

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Bryant Turner Jr. at one of his recent properties under contract. (Photo by Christine Hull for Bham Now)
Bryant Turner Jr. at one of his recent properties under contract in Chelsea. The house next door to this one? Also for sale by Turner. (Photo by Christine Hull for Bham Now)

Former UAB defensive lineman and current ARC Realtor Bryant Turner sat down with Bham Now to talk about his budding career with ARC Realty. Find out how the pro athlete-turned-agent quickly became one of the company’s top performers, and how he’s turning his game-time determination into sold signs in Birmingham yards.

Bryant Turner Jr. goes pro with ARC Realty Team

If you haven’t seen a FOR SALE BY BRYANT TURNER, ARC REALTY sign in your neighborhood, just wait. They’ve been popping up all over the Birmingham Metro since he joined the ARC team in early 2018. The humble family guy, husband and father of two little girls wouldn’t tell you this himself, but out of 300 agents in the company, he’s already one of the top 40 producers for the year in his first year of business.

Turner played for the British Columbia Lions in 2016 as a defensive lineman. He played D-line throughout his entire career. (Photo submitted)
Turner played for the British Columbia Lions in 2016 as a defensive lineman. He played D-line throughout his entire career. (Photo submitted)

Not a bad first year for a guy who, up until last year, spent most of his life on the football field. After playing for UAB as a standout defensive lineman from 2006 to 2011, the 6’2 280 lb Turner headed to North to play in the Canadian Football League. He spent six seasons playing in the CFL, five for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and one with the British Columbia Lions in Vancouver.

Turner got his real estate license during the 2016 offseason. It was a conversation in a Birmingham breakfast joint with a local realtor that got him thinking.

“He asked me what I was going to do after I finished playing ball, and started selling me on the idea that I could excel with my skill set in real estate,” said Turner. “He helped me realize that I could bring the work ethic and leadership experience I had on the field to my business in buying and selling houses. So I went home and started studying for the exam.”

Turner played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2011 to 2016. He went to the British Columbia Lions for the 2016 season. He signed a one-day contract with Winnipeg in 2018 to officially announce his retirement from the sport and retire as a Blue Bomber. (Photo via Bryant Turner Fanpage)
Turner played with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2011 to 2016. He went to the British Columbia Lions for the 2016 season. He signed a one-day contract with Winnipeg in 2018 to officially announce his retirement from the sport and retire as a Blue Bomber. (Photo via Bryant Turner Fanpage)

What do football and real estate have in common? Apparently, a lot.

Turner says the similarities between the two, and what it takes to do well at either, are actually very similar.

“You’re essentially a ‘free agent’ in both professions. You have the ability to work as much or as little as you want to every day,” said Turner. “Your success is controlled by the work you put in, how hard you hustle and improve day after day. As hard as you want to work—you can. The results will speak for themselves.”

He said being an athlete, in a roundabout way, has also been a catalyst to his success.

“Successful athletes, are, if you think about it, successful because they are coachable. They get that way by working hard, by listening to what coaches are teaching them, retaining that information and then applying it. I’ve been coached as an athlete my entire life, and it’s really helped to have amazing mentors here at ARC to coach me as an agent.”

Bryant Turner, ARC Realty
Bryant Turner Jr. was also an Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Delta Chapter at UAB. (Photo submitted)
Bryant Turner Jr. was also an Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Delta Chapter at UAB. (Photo submitted)

Joining the ARC Realty Team

It’s no suprise that an outstanding former UAB footballer like Turner landed at a great company like ARC Realty. The company’s chairman, Tommy Brigham, played a major role in the resurgence of UAB’s football program in 2016. The Blazer connection is what made Turner reach out to Brigham after getting his real estate license.

“My trainer, who I’ve been working out with since 9th grade, told me to reach out Mr. Brigham, so I did,” said Turner. “The rest is history!”

Turner, who has already broken his sales record for the year in 2019, says there’s a secret sauce to his success: the training and constant attention he’s received from ARC Realty thus far.

Photo Caption: ARC Realty Co. also sponsors Turner’s yearly summer football camp for kids at UAB. Last year, over 60 kids attended the camp. 2018 was Turner’s third year hosting the program. Last year, former Samford and NFL player Jeremy Townes (pictured, left of Turner) helped coach the camp. (Photo courtesy Visions Photography)
Photo Caption: ARC Realty Co. also sponsors Turner’s yearly summer football camp for kids at UAB. Last year, over 60 kids attended the camp. 2018 was Turner’s third year hosting the program. Last year, former Samford and NFL player Jeremy Townes (pictured, left of Turner) helped coach the camp. (Photo courtesy Visions Photography)

Surrounded by Greatness at ARC Realty

Turner said ARC provided an opportunity to learn from the best Realtors in the state. He shadowed ARC Realtor Janet Hamm in 2018 when he first came on board at ARC.

“I really appreciated the opportunity to learn so much right away, from best practices to how to drum up business. Directly from someone who had proven success in the industry,” said Turner.

“I really just have to brag about ARC any time it comes up. They are always there to help me with anything I need—it is the perfect place to succeed.”

Bryant Turner and his wife, Morgan, with their daughters Kennedy (4) and Zoe (1). (Photo submitted)
Bryant Turner and his wife, Morgan, with their daughters Kennedy (4) and Zoe (1). (Photo submitted)

Turner and Co. at Home

If you think Turner is cool, you should definitely meet the rest of his crew at home. Turner lives in Chelsea with his wife, Morgan. They met at UAB through the athletics department—she was a star player on the UAB soccer team. They have two (adorable) girls, Kennedy (4) and Zoe (1). When they aren’t shaping young minds or selling homes, you can find the Turners at the gym, or at church. They are both active members at the Church of the Highlands.

Are you looking to sell your home or shopping around for a new one? Maybe both? Reach out to Turner via his ARC Realty page or his Bryant Turner Jr. Real Estate Facebook Page for more information.  

Interesting in becoming part of the top-notch ARC Realty team?  Let them know.

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