Chiefs

Former Chiefs receiver shoots down retirement rumor. (But what about his music?)

Former Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney spent part of his Thursday knocking down Internet rumors from “goofies” that he is done playing football.

But he took advantage of all the yacking to promote his other career — rapping as his alter ego Yung Joka.

“Goofies on the net hollering im retiring,” the two-time Super Bowl champ wrote on his Instagram story Thursday.

“Just want klout... ain speaking on the (poop emoji) nomo.

“Love da attention for my musik tho ... it’s been a passion.”

Nope, not retiring, says Kadarius Toney.
Nope, not retiring, says Kadarius Toney. Instagram/Yung Joka

Who knows whether music will remain as his side gig. He doesn’t have a team to play with next season, remaining a free agent one month into the signing period.

Once a first-round draft pick for the New York Giants, Toney was traded to the Chiefs in 2022, where his tenure was, to be kind, tumultuous.

But in Super Bowl LVII when Kansas City beat Philadelphia, Toney made the play of his career with a 65-yard punt return, the longest in Super Bowl history.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) carries the ball on a 65-yard punt return against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 57 at State Farm Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney (19) carries the ball on a 65-yard punt return against the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 57 at State Farm Stadium. The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35. Kirby Lee USA TODAY Sports

He later went to Cleveland, where four punt returns for 44 yards became the highlight of the three games he played there. He muffed a punt on one of his last two plays with the Browns before the team cut him loose.

A nickname was born: “Yung Drops.”

Toney was back in the news in January after he was arrested for aggravated assault for allegedly strangling a woman at his home in Georgia.

So where did the retirement rumors come from?

According to The New York Post, Toney allegedly said during an Instagram Live that he was retiring from the NFL and wanted to be known as a rapper now. The rumor circulated quickly on social media, as rumors do on social media.

Along with his fierce denial Thursday, Toney posted a photo of a clown and urged his followers to “go run dat old musik up for me ... b4 I drop again.”

Kadrius Toney, is that you?
Kadrius Toney, is that you? Instagram/Yung Joka

This story was originally published April 18, 2025 at 11:56 AM.

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Lisa Gutierrez
The Kansas City Star
Lisa Gutierrez has been a reporter for The Kansas City Star since 2000. She learned journalism at the University of Kansas, her alma mater. She writes about pop culture, local celebrities, trends and life in the metro through its people. Oh, and dogs. You can reach her at lgutierrez@kcstar.com or follow her on Twitter - @LisaGinKC.
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