“It’s kind of like you just don’t love the game of football,” Rob Gronkowski said about the Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney in December 2023 when he dropped a few balls in crucial moments. The Gronk also praised the receiver for his athletic skills. But the questions about the love for the game always remained. Yet, Patrick Mahomes won 2 Super Bowls with him before trading him to the Browns in 2024. They also released him mid-season. Since then, he has been a free agent. This forced him to take drastic steps.
On Thursday, April 17, the wide receiver took to Instagram Live to deliver a shocker to his fans: he announced his decision to retire from the NFL and pursue his creative passion. The NFL player revealed that he plans to launch a full-time music career as a rapper under the name Yung Joka — his new endeavor. He is stepping into an industry which, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI) Global Music Report 2024, is worth $28.6 billion.
TRENDING: KADARIUS TONEY REPORTEDLY WENT ON IG LIVE & SAID HE IS RETIRING FROM THE #NFL AND WANTS TO BE A FULL-TIME RAPPER.
Toney, only 26 years old and goes by the name Yung Joka.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 17, 2025
Even after winning two Super Bowls, he hasn’t had a buyer in free agency until now. This might have played a big role in his hanging up his cleats. The last few months have also been turbulent for the 26-year-old athlete. In February this year, Kadarius Toney was arrested in Georgia and later released for assaulting a woman (allegedly his girlfriend).
Moreover, he has always been interested in the $28.6 billion rap music scene. The WR started free styling in elementary school, which turned into a passion by the time he reached college. He often shared videos on social media with his fans, even while playing in the league. But it’s a loss for the league. He is still very young.
While the fans were surprised by the shocking news, some of them delved into his past performances. He was a force on the field before injuries derailed his career.
Did Kadarius Toney mock Patrick Mahomes over SB loss?
The NY Giants chose him in the first-round pick (20th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft. He suffered oblique injury in 2021 and a hamstring injury in 2022, forcing him to miss games. Then he came to the Chiefs mid-season in 2022. In the Super Bowl LVII against Eagles, he caught a record 65 yard punt return and a 4th quarter TD to help them win.
Next year, Kadarius Toney made mistakes in the field, causing the Chiefs to bench him as an injury report designate. But he caused a storm with his IG live (his venting points) when he claimed he was not injured. But things didn’t change. This year, when Patrick Mahomes & co. lost the game, he shared an IG story with the batman photo and logo up in the sky. Fans buzzed he was mocking his former team.
In 4 years of his NFL career, the WR played 35 games (10 starters) and recorded 82 receptions for 760 yards and 3 touchdowns. He even had 1 rushing TD. While fans would have wanted him to return, he has chosen his destiny. But a return is never off the charts.
The post Patrick Mahomes’ SB Winning Teammate Announces Retirement And Confirms Next Career Step into $28.6B Industry appeared first on EssentiallySports.