Kadarius Toney, the former first-round NFL wide receiver, has spoken out after retirement rumours swept social media on Thursday. Speculation erupted when posts claimed Toney had announced on Instagram Live that he was leaving football to focus on his rap career under the name Yung Joka. The story quickly gained traction, fueled by Toney’s turbulent football journey and his growing presence in music.
Toney wasted little time in addressing the rumours, posting on Instagram to deny any plans to retire. “Goofies on the net hollerin I’m retiring. Just want Klout. Ain’t speakin on the [expletive] nomo,” Toney wrote, making it clear he’s not stepping away from the NFL just yet. He did, however, use the moment to promote his music, adding, “Love da attention for my musik tho. It’s been a passion.”
The rumours were believable to many, given Toney’s rocky NFL career since being drafted 20th overall by the New York Giants in 2021. After a promising start, Toney struggled with injuries and inconsistency, eventually being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he contributed to a Super Bowl win but failed to secure a lasting role. Most recently, Toney had a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns before being released and is currently a free agent.
While Toney has shut down talk of retirement, his NFL future remains uncertain. For now, he’s making it clear he’s not hanging up his cleats—and is happy to let his music gain some extra attention from the buzz.