Al Toon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Al Toon

Toon with the New York Jets in 1986
No. 88
Position:	Wide receiver
Personal information
Born:	(1963-04-30) April 30, 1963 (age 62) Newport News, Virginia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:	Menchville (Newport News, Virginia)
College:	Wisconsin (1981–1984)
NFL Draft:	1985 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10
Career history
New York Jets (1985)
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-Pro (1986) Second-team All-Pro (1988) 3× Pro Bowl (1986–1988) NFL receptions leader (1988) New York Jets All-Time Four Decade Team New York Jets Ring of Honor 2× First-team All-Big Ten (1983, 1984)
Career NFL statistics
Receptions: 517 Receiving yards: 6,605 Touchdowns: 31
Player stats at PFR

Albert Lee Toon Jr., born on April 30, 1963, is a former American football player. He was a wide receiver for the New York Jets in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons.

Before joining the NFL, Toon was a star player at the University of Wisconsin. He set several school records for the Wisconsin Badgers football team. During his time with the Jets, from 1985 to 1992, he was a three-time Pro Bowl player. He led his team and the entire league in catches during the late 1980s. Many people consider Al Toon to be one of the greatest wide receivers in the history of the New York Jets.

Early Life and College Sports

Al Toon grew up in Newport News, Virginia. In high school, he was very good at track and field. He was one of only three athletes in his area to jump over 50 feet in the triple jump. He also jumped 23 feet in the long jump. Toon used his amazing jumping skills as a wide receiver for his high school football team at Menchville High School.

After high school, Toon went to the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He played both football and ran track there from 1981 to 1984. In college football, Toon set a Big Ten record for catches in a single game. He also set new school records for career catches (131), receiving yards (2,103), and touchdown catches (19). In track and field, he set Big Ten and school records in the triple jump. He even qualified for the Olympic Trials in 1983 for both the 110 High Hurdles and the Triple Jump.

Professional Football Career

The New York Jets picked Al Toon in the first round of the 1985 NFL draft. He was the 10th player chosen overall. In his very first NFL game, he caught three passes for 67 yards. His first touchdown came on November 3 against the Indianapolis Colts.

Toon had a fantastic second season in 1986. He caught 85 passes for 1,176 yards and scored eight touchdowns. He was named an All-Pro player and chosen for the Pro Bowl. He led the Jets in catches for the next five seasons. In a playoff game that year, he scored a touchdown, helping the Jets win 35–15. This was his only playoff victory as a player.

In the 1988 season, Toon led the entire NFL with 93 catches. He also gained 1,067 yards and scored five touchdowns. He was again named to the Pro Bowl and an All-Pro. He was the first Jets player to lead the league in receptions since 1967. To this day, he is the last Jets player to achieve this.

Al Toon was known for his strong physical play and his ability to block defenders. This made him a valuable player for the Jets. In 1990, under new coach Bruce Coslet, Toon was named team captain. Coach Coslet called him a "consummate team player," meaning he was a perfect team player.

Toon played his last full season in 1991, catching 74 passes for 963 yards. He made his final playoff appearance in 1991, catching a 10-yard touchdown pass. The Jets lost that game 17–10.

In 1992, Toon played in only nine games. He suffered a serious hit during a game on November 8, which knocked him unconscious. This hit ended up being his last play in the NFL. On November 28, 1992, Al Toon announced his retirement. Doctors had advised him not to risk another hit to the head. He had suffered several concussions during his career.

When he retired, Al Toon held Jets franchise records for most catches in a season (93) and most consecutive games with a catch (110). He was also second in team history for total catches (517) and third for receiving yards (6,605). Toon is one of only two retired NFL players to have over 500 catches in fewer than 110 games. In 2011, he was honored by being selected to the Jets Ring of Honor.

Life After Football

After his football career, Al Toon became a successful businessman. In 1995, he helped start Capitol Bank, a local community bank, and still serves on its board of directors. He also used to be the president of the University of Wisconsin's National W Club, which is a club for athletes who earned a varsity letter.

Toon also created AT8 Companies to manage his commercial real estate. He became a franchisee for Taco Bell and Hilton Garden Inn. A franchisee is someone who buys the right to open and run a business under a well-known brand. He also helped develop the Boy's and Girl's Club of Dane County as a board member.

Al Toon has served on the board of directors for the National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL). He also served on the board of directors for the Green Bay Packers football team. Today, he is an owner of Olson Toon Landscaping, Inc., one of the largest landscape design and build companies in the Midwest. Since 1992, he has also been an investor in Wisconsin Burger King Franchise companies.

Even after dealing with health challenges from his football career, Toon has shown great recovery. He was able to compete in a triathlon in 2004, which is a race that combines swimming, biking, and running.

Family Life

Al Toon is married to Jane. They have a son and three daughters. His son, Nick Toon, also played football. Nick was a standout player in high school and then played as a receiver for the Wisconsin Badgers, just like his father. In 2011, Nick passed his father's records for all-time catches and yards at the University of Wisconsin. Nicholas Toon was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2012 and played four years in the NFL. He now runs an online retail business and focuses on real estate.

Al Toon's daughter, Kirby, played volleyball at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His other daughters, Molly and Sydney, also played volleyball. Molly played at the University of Michigan, and Sydney played at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats