New York Jets Throwback Thursday: WR Al Toon

Time for another edition of “Throwback Thursday”.

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With the trade for Brandon Marshall in place, bringing the Jets a wonderful threat on the outside, I thought it might be good to look back at another former Jets great at the position. This guy goes back to the middle of the 1980’s, so some of the younger Jets fans might have to ask their parents about this guy.

We have talked about Wesley Walker, and how great of a deep threat he was during the same era. Well, in 1985, he was joined by a tall, lanky wide receiver from the University of Wisconsin. He took the league by storm, quickly becoming one of the top receivers in the game, before his career ended prematurely due to concussions. He was the ultimate possession receiver, the perfect sidekick to Wesley Walker’s deep threat.

Today, we look back at one of our best. We look at wide receiver, Al Toon.

Next: Pre New York Jets

Oct 25, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; The Wisconsin logo at midfield of Camp Randall Stadium following the game between the Maryland Terrapins and Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin won 52-7. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Al Toon was born, and spent his early life, in Newport News, Virginia. Toon was a two sport star in high school. In addition to football, Toon starred in Track and Field, topping 50 feet in the Triple Jump three times, and 23 feet in the long jump twice.

Toon used these skills in college, playing football for the University of Wisconsin as well as running track. Here are his football stats from his college days:

Receiving & Rushing

Next: NFL Career

Al Toon was chosen by the New York Jets with the 10th overall pick in the 1985 NFL draft. As a rookie, Toon caught 46 passes for 662 yards and three touchdowns. In 1986, the year the Jets started 10-1 and nearly made it to the AFC title game, Toon posted over 1,100 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. Take a look at Toon’s career:

RECEIVING

Year

Team

G

Rec

Yds

Avg

Yds/G

Lng

TD

20+

40+

1st

FUM

1992

9

31

311

10.0

34.6

32

2

2

0

16

0

1991

15

74

963

13.0

64.2

32

0

16

0

45

0

1990

14

57

757

13.3

54.1

46T

6

—

—

—

—

1989

11

63

693

11.0

63.0

37T

2

—

—

—

—

1988

15

93

1,067

11.5

71.1

42

5

—

—

—

—

1987

12

68

976

14.4

81.3

58T

5

—

—

—

—

1986

16

85

1,176

13.8

73.5

62T

8

—

—

—

—

1985

15

46

662

14.4

44.1

78T

3

—

—

—

—

TOTAL

107

517

6,605

12.8

61.7

78

31

18

0

61

0

For those of you who remember Al Toon, enjoy these clips. For our younger readers, take a look at one of the Jets finest:

Toon was a Pro Bowl selection as well as an All-Pro in three straight seasons from 1986-1988. Toon was named player of the year in the aforementioned 1986 season.  He posted over 900 yards receiving in four seasons, and over 1,000 yards twice.

Toon was on his way to greatness, but his health failed him.  Over his eight year career, Al Toon suffered at least nine concussions, which caused him to retire in 1992 at the age of 29.

Al Toon was set to be one of the best to ever play, until the game of football took his health.

What about after football?

Next: Life After Football

Al Toon was one of Capitol Bank, and still serves on the board of directors. He is also on the board of the National Guardian Life Insurance Company. Unfortunately, he has also been a bit of an NFL traitor, serving on the board for the Green Bay Packers as well. I kid about the traitor part of course, the Packers are lucky to have him in the organization.

More recently, he owns of the largest landscaping companies in the midwest, Toon Landscaping Inc. Though he has suffered from Post-Concussion Syndrome, Toon’s health improved enough that he could get back to his track and field roots and run a triathlon.

Al Toon was one of the finest receivers to wear the Jets uniform. He along with Wesley Walker formed one of the most feared tandems in the NFL at the time. He is a member of the Ring of Honor, and we remember him fondly.

Wide receiver, #88, Al Toon!

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