Kadarius Toney Bio
Kadarius Toney (born January 27, 1999) is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) from 2021 through 2024. He played college football for the Florida Gators and was selected by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the 20th overall pick. Toney later suited up for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cleveland Browns, earning two Super Bowl rings during his career.
Early Life and Background
Kadarius Toney was born on January 27, 1999, in Mobile, Alabama. He grew up in the surrounding community and attended Blount High School in Eight Mile, Alabama, where he developed as a dual-threat quarterback for his final two seasons. Listed at 6 feet 0 inches and around 193 pounds, Toney built a strong athletic foundation that would later define his reputation as a versatile playmaker at the next level.
As a junior, Toney threw for 3,604 yards and rushed for 896 yards, accounting for 53 total touchdowns (37 passing and 16 rushing). He was recognized as an Alabama 6A second-team all-state selection and earned a spot on the AL.com Coastal Alabama first team. During his senior year, he added 2,984 passing yards and 894 rushing yards with 47 touchdowns, was named Alabama 6A Back of the Year, and finished his high school career with a 20–5 record as a starter.
Path to American Football
Toney entered college as a consensus three-star recruit and a versatile athlete, drawing scholarship offers from South Carolina, Georgia Tech, South Alabama, Alabama, and Florida. He eventually chose the Florida Gators, where he spent his college career developing his skills across multiple positions.
During his freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons at Florida, Toney served as a reserve player at wide receiver, running back, wildcat quarterback, and on special teams. As a senior in 2020, his production increased dramatically. He led the Gators’ offense with 70 receptions for 984 yards, averaging 14.1 yards per catch and scoring 10 touchdowns. He also contributed as a runner and returner, earning second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press and first-team All-SEC recognition from the league’s coaches. He was a finalist for the 2020 Paul Hornung Award, given to college football’s most versatile player.
Kadarius Toney Career
Early Career (2021)
Toney was selected by the New York Giants in the first round with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $13.7 million on June 4, 2021, and was placed on the team’s COVID-19 reserve list at the start of training camp. He started slowly, recording just four receptions through the first three games of his rookie season.
In Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints, Toney posted six catches for 78 yards in a 27–21 overtime win. The following week against the Dallas Cowboys, he had 10 catches for 189 yards, breaking Odell Beckham Jr.’s Giants rookie receiving record, though he was ejected for throwing a punch during a 44–20 loss. Despite appearing in only 10 games, Toney finished the season with 420 receiving yards on 39 receptions, the second-most on the team.
New York Giants Tenure (2021–2022)
Heading into 2022, Toney was expected to take on a larger role with the Giants, but a hamstring injury suffered in Week 2 limited his availability and effectiveness. He missed five games during the early portion of the season and recorded only two receptions for zero yards before being traded.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2022–2023)
Toney was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs on October 27, 2022, in exchange for a third-round and a sixth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He quickly found the end zone, scoring his first NFL touchdown in Week 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In nine regular-season games with Kansas City in 2022, he recorded 16 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns.
In Super Bowl LVII, Toney set a Super Bowl record with a 65-yard punt return in the fourth quarter, surpassing Jordan Norwood’s mark from Super Bowl 50. He also caught a fourth-quarter touchdown on a Corn Dog play, helping the Chiefs take their first lead of the game in a 38–35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The following July, Toney underwent knee surgery for a torn meniscus suffered during the first practice of training camp, but he returned in time for the 2023 season opener.
Toney’s 2023 campaign was filled with on-field struggles and off-field headlines. He recorded four drops in the season opener against the Detroit Lions, including two costly mistakes in a 21–20 loss. Later, in a Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, he was flagged for an offside penalty that negated a go-ahead touchdown play involving Travis Kelce. In Week 15 against the New England Patriots, he bobbled a pass into an interception. He was inactive for the playoffs and for Super Bowl LVIII, but still earned a second Super Bowl title after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25–22. On May 2, 2024, the Chiefs declined his fifth-year option, and he was released on August 27, 2024.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024)
On September 9, 2024, Toney signed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on December 7, 2024. Following a Week 14 performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in which he muffed a punt and drew a taunting penalty, the Browns released him on December 10, 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
Toney’s most defining moment came in Super Bowl LVII, where his 65-yard punt return set an all-time Super Bowl record and helped lift the Kansas City Chiefs to victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He retired from professional football in 2025 after a career that included 82 career receptions for 760 yards and 4 touchdowns across the regular season.
Kadarius Toney Career Wins
Kadarius Toney finished his NFL career as a two-time Super Bowl champion, contributing to Kansas City’s victories in Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII. While he did not lead the league in any major receiving categories, his impact on special teams and as a playmaker in key moments made him a memorable figure during the Chiefs’ championship runs.
Super Bowl Highlights
Although Toney was a role player rather than a stat-sheet leader, his Super Bowl LVII performance stands out as the highlight of his career. His 65-yard punt return set a Super Bowl record, and his fourth-quarter touchdown catch on a Corn Dog play gave Kansas City its first lead of the game in a 38–35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He earned his second ring with the Chiefs’ 25–22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, though he was inactive for that game.
Other Performances
Beyond the Super Bowl stage, Toney recorded his first NFL touchdown in Week 10 of the 2022 season against the Jacksonville Jaguars shortly after his trade to Kansas City. His rookie-season 10-catch, 189-yard performance against the Dallas Cowboys also stands out, as it broke the New York Giants’ rookie receiving record previously held by Odell Beckham Jr.
Kadarius Toney Family
Personal Life
Publicly available information about Kadarius Toney’s family and personal life is limited. He was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, and attended Blount High School in nearby Eight Mile, where he developed into a high-level quarterback and athlete. Beyond those details, additional verified information about his personal relationships has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Kadarius Toney did not play in the 2025 NFL season. In 2025, he announced his retirement from professional football during an Instagram live broadcast, effectively ending his playing career.
Following his retirement announcement, Toney was arrested in Georgia on February 6, 2025, on one count of aggravated assault and one count of obstructing 911 calls. The arrest stemmed from an alleged incident on January 14, 2025. He was released after posting a $50,000 bail.
As Toney transitions into life after football, his on-field legacy is defined by two Super Bowl championships and a Super Bowl record punt return, despite a career marked by both exceptional athleticism and off-field challenges.
