Former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney has whipped up a frenzy in the NFL world.
Multiple outlets alleged that the two-time Super Bowl champion had quit the NFL to pursue a career in music, but the 26-year-old quickly took to social media to shut down the speculation.
The current NFL free agent sparked rumours about his retirement when outlets alleged he said was retiring to become a rapper after appearing on Instagram Live.
Toney posted a music video for a song titled ‘RR’ with a short film that sees him driving a purple Lamborghini while rocking an Allen Iverson Philadelphia 76ers jersey and a diamond chain with the word “JOKA.”
“Kadarius Toney went on IG live and said that he is retiring from the NFL and wants to be considered a rapper instead of a football player,” one prominent NFL aggregator posted on X.
“Yung Joka is now the name he prefers to be called.”
Fans were stunned at the apparent shock career change and shared their thoughts under the post.
“His name should be ‘Yung Drop,’” one fan joked, referencing a number of dropped catches he made during his time with the Chiefs.
“son can’t catch a ball or a beat,” another said.
“‘Retiring???’ He couldn’t buy a job in the league now,” someone else wrote.
Toney caught wind of it and promptly shut down rumours he was planning on ditching football for music.
Toney responded on his Instagram story, saying, “Goofies on the net hollerin I’m retiring… just want klout.”
He then added: “Love da attention for my music tho. It’s been a passion.”
It’s no surprise that rumours of Toney’s retirement picked up steam. The former first round NFL draft pick, has become somewhat of a non-factor in football recent years.
After spending two years with the Chiefs, where he won two Super Bowls alongside the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, he was released by the team last May.
Kansas declined his fifth-year option and while he was later signed by the Cleveland Browns in September. However, they released him just four months later.
In the period since, Toney has played very little football, hence his apparent interest in establishing himself as a rapper.
He has also been involved in several well-documented off-field issues.
He has been releasing music for a number of years under the name Yung Joka and released an album in 2024.
Toney’s Spotify biography boasts about his ability to be successful in multiple industries.
“Yung Joka is a up-and-coming rapper from Mobile, Alabama known for his melodic voice,” reads Toney’s Spotify.
“In his songs he speaks about facing different adversities, problems, and deaths along the way to in his lifetime, He has released EP, Warrior 3 in 2022.
“He also has other talents, he played football for the University of Florida and now Kansas City Chiefs, proving that he can do both, and be successful.”
Toney has over 4,600 followers and 19,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, with 580 followers on Soundcloud.
His most popular song “Sum 2 Prove” has accrued over 335,000 listens on Spotify.
Whether or not Toney has officially retired from football, remains to be seen.
But given he’s a free agent and facing personal issues, it seems likely he may have played his last NFL game.
