You remember that era of E! Network reality TV where every Sunday night felt like a high-stakes drama in tight dresses? That was the world of WAGS LA. Back in 2016, a new face walked onto the screen—Tia Shipman. She wasn't just another girl looking for a camera; she was a legitimate, high-fashion model who had already walked for Vera Wang. But the big question that season wasn't about her runway walk. It was about the man she was hiding.
Basically, the internet went into a full-blown detective mode. People were scouring Instagram captions and grainy paparazzi shots to find out who her "mystery baller" was. It didn't take long for the name Greg Toler to surface.
The Mystery of Greg Toler and Tia Shipman
Greg Toler wasn't exactly a loud, flashy guy. He was a cornerback in the NFL, known for a grit-and-grind career that took him from a small Division II school to the big leagues. When Tia joined the cast of WAGS, she was super coy about him. Honestly, it was kind of refreshing for a show built on oversharing. She’d drop little hints, like the fact that they actually went to middle school together.
Imagine that for a second. Two kids from the D.C. area, one becomes a pro football player and the other a world-class model, and they find their way back to each other years later. It’s the kind of plot a screenwriter would reject for being too cheesy.
But for Greg Toler and Tia Shipman, it was real life. While the show tried to make a spectacle of her "secret" boyfriend, the reality was a bit more grounded. They were two people focused on their careers who just happened to be dating while the cameras were rolling.
From JCPenney to the NFL: Greg's Underdog Story
To understand why Greg Toler didn't care much for the reality TV spotlight, you have to look at how hard he worked to get to the NFL. His story is legitimately insane.
- The Struggle: After high school, his grades weren't good enough for a big college. He ended up working at a JCPenney, stocking shelves and sweeping floors.
- The Break: He was playing semi-pro ball for the D.C. Explosion when a coach from Saint Paul’s College (a tiny school in Virginia) spotted him.
- The Record: He became the first—and only—player ever drafted into the NFL from that school.
By the time he met back up with Tia, he’d played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Indianapolis Colts. In 2016, the year Tia was on WAGS, he had just signed with his hometown team, the Washington Redskins (now the Commanders). He was a guy who knew the value of a dollar and a roster spot. Appearing on a show where people argue about "WAG hierarchy" probably wasn't high on his priority list.
Why things stayed quiet on WAGS
If you go back and re-watch those old episodes, Tia stands out. She wasn't there to throw drinks. She was a "GLORY Girl" for the Glory World Series kickboxing league and was busy filming commercials for Dodge.
She often talked about how her relationship with Greg was different. They were "career-focused." In the world of WAGS, that’s often code for "we don't want our personal drama edited for ratings."
"Our relationship is different than most. We are very focused on our careers so we put those things first." — Tia Shipman, 2016 interview.
The couple eventually moved on from the reality TV spotlight. While the show listed them as a couple during Season 2, they didn't become the next "it couple" of the tabloid world. Honestly? Good for them. The "curse" of reality TV relationships is real, and by keeping their business private, they avoided the worst of it.
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Where are they now?
Greg Toler officially hung up the cleats after the 2016 season. He didn't just disappear, though. He’s been inducted into the CIAA Hall of Fame and stays active in the sports world through coaching, scouting, and even some pickleball. He’s a "legend" for the Cardinals now, often appearing at events to inspire the next generation of small-school underdogs.
Tia Shipman has continued to dominate the modeling world. If you look at her portfolio today, it’s a masterclass in longevity. She’s still represented by major agencies like LA Models and continues to book high-end commercial work. She never let the "reality star" label stick to her, which is a massive win in an industry that can be pretty judgmental.
Lessons from the Greg and Tia Era
Looking back at the whole Greg Toler and Tia Shipman saga, there are a few things we can actually learn about navigating a public relationship:
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- Privacy is a Choice: You don't have to show everything. Tia proved you can be on a reality show without selling out your entire personal life.
- Define Yourself First: Both Greg and Tia had established careers before they became a "keyword" on Google. That foundation kept them from being swallowed by the "WAG" trope.
- The Long Game Wins: Greg's transition from the NFL to a "legend" status and Tia’s transition from reality TV back to high-fashion modeling shows that life exists after the 15 minutes of fame are over.
If you’re looking for a dramatic breakup story or a messy Twitter feud, you won't find it here. What you will find is two people who grew up together in D.C., hit the big time in their respective fields, and handled the spotlight with more grace than most.
The best way to keep up with them today isn't through old reality TV clips. It's by watching the sidelines of NFL alumni events or checking out the latest national ad campaigns. They’ve both moved into a new chapter, proving that you can survive the E! Network and come out better on the other side.
Actionable Insights for Navigating High-Profile Careers:
- Diversify your identity: Don't let your relationship or a single job title (like "NFL player" or "Model") be the only thing people know about you.
- Value your roots: Greg and Tia’s connection to their D.C. upbringing and middle school days provided a groundedness that helped them navigate the superficiality of Hollywood.
- Control the narrative: By being "coy" and selective about what they shared, they maintained the power in their own story.