Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes dropped back and hit tight end Travis Kelce, who then lateraled to wide receiver Kadarius Toney.
Toney, in desperate need of a big play to regain his confidence, took the lateral to the house. The celebration was on.
The Chiefs had just stormed back and defeated the Buffalo Bills. The play was miraculous, the win was imperative and the Yung Joka had the last laugh.
And then it all fell apart.
Officials threw a flag the moment the ball was snapped but no one seemed to notice. Toney had lined up offsides, costing himself a touchdown and his team a win.
The Chiefs would not claw their way out of the hole this time, ultimately falling to the Bills, 20-17.
On the sideline, Mahomes explored, throwing a tantrum and slamming his helmet down. He and head coach Andy Reid would shred the referees after the fact, essentially claiming they had been robbed.
Meanwhile, on X, formerly known as Twitter, retired Giants players, fans, beat writers, and analysts all began to weigh in on Toney’s blunder.
Everybody do the Toney
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) December 11, 2023
Kadarius Toney in one play
-Cost the Chiefs a chance at homefield advantage
-Kept their biggest threat alive in the playoff race
-Ruined what would have been the play of the yearCould not have happened to a better guy
— The Entertainah (@TheEntertainah) December 11, 2023
It’s fashionable to kill the refs after every game but no one is talking about them after that call. Toney was clearly offside. The flag came out immediately, too. It’s not like the ref knew he was erasing the coolest TD ever… https://t.co/i4ZBFZITJq
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) December 11, 2023
1) did Toney check with official if he was legal? If not-it’s a flag. If not-WHY WOULD HE NOT?!?! He should very play…If he did….
Also—-Unless you’ve warned him/offense about this beforehand YOU CANNOT AND DO NOT THROW THIS FLAG https://t.co/GQhNoLwVgb
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) December 11, 2023
The unmitigated privilege of Andy Reid (who is an all time Great) , to think that he is owed a *warning* for Toney lining up offsides.. THAT IS THE PLAYER'S RESPONSIBLY!! Blaming the refs for doing their job is beneath his greatness. #chiefs #Bills
— Carl Banks (@CarlBanksGIII) December 11, 2023
Remember the last time we piled on Kadarius Toney. I'm gonna keep my mouth shut this time around. 🤐💯😂
— Vibes – Eli Racks (@IamEliRacks) December 11, 2023
Let me correct this quote for Andy Reid…. "Its a bit embarrassing for Kadarius Toney to allow that to take place." https://t.co/EQc4OgMtIy
— The Entertainah (@TheEntertainah) December 11, 2023
Toney’s #1 fan pic.twitter.com/L0o1wtZL5E
— el Jefé (@JefePil) December 11, 2023
The #Chiefs have only themselves to blame for trusting Kadarius Toney in a big spot.
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 11, 2023
Lolololol Toney got teams having mental breakdowns https://t.co/F3zKzuZOkO
— Brody (@ItsGiantsSzn) December 11, 2023
Giants fans after defending why we traded Kadarius Toney #NYGiants | #KadariusToney pic.twitter.com/EYVtBgNGnw
— New York Revival (@NewYorkRevival) December 11, 2023
Chiefs tried to convince the world Kadarius Toney could be a No. 1 WR. Umm, he can't. He probably shouldn't be on the field when the game is on the line. I'd be ticked, too, if I was Patrick Mahomes. https://t.co/9VCeVakCkK
— Big Blue View (@bigblueview) December 11, 2023
Just in case any Chiefs fans are wondering. Kadarius Toney's fully guaranteed $2,530,842 2024 base salary would immediately accelerate onto Kansas City's 2023 salary cap if he is released & clears waivers.
— Joel Corry (@corryjoel) December 11, 2023
Kadarius Toney
— Justin Penik (@JustinPenik) December 11, 2023
Kadarius Toney’s “My Cause, My Cleats” pic.twitter.com/S34yQ8dx0h
— Lawrence Tynes (@lt4kicks) December 11, 2023
Ok. So.
Is he offsides? Yes, clearly.
Have we seen refs let this margin of error slide before? 97 times out of 100.
That’s why Mahomes is pissed. Toney still shouldn’t be absolved. https://t.co/P0YFxQf9t2
— marshall newhouse (@MNewhouse73) December 11, 2023
Kadarius Toney just made one of the most boneheaded moves I’ve seen (how often do we see WR line up offsides?).
I would feel bad for him, but he handled his time with #Giants horribly, wore out his welcome in locker room & then handled his departure in a somehow worse fashion.— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) December 11, 2023
Kadarius Toney is the gift that keeps giving
— Belt Guy (@ThisIsNotZain) December 11, 2023
Toney .. a me guy.. bad luck magnet
— RMIII (@RobMartin_7) December 11, 2023
The entire Kadarius Toney Experience summed up in one play
— Clem (@TheClemReport) December 11, 2023
Toney!!!! Hahahaha
— Mr. Glass Half-Full (@MisterGHF) December 11, 2023
