LAS VEGAS — Kadarius Toney blames Giants fans for the so-called “miscommunication” that made it looked like he has ill will toward the Chiefs.
Toney, who hasn’t played for the Chiefs since Dec. 17, made headlines from home on the day of the AFC Championship game when a social media video went viral that appeared to show him saying the Chiefs were faking his injury and keeping him inactive.
“I’m not hurt. None of that. It goes from hip to ankle to this to that,” Toney said in part during the video.
The former Giants draft bust claims that his thoughts were spliced together for an altered message.
“It made it like I was attacking the one I love the most,” Toney told reporters at Super Bowl 2024 “Opening Night.” “I never attacked the Chiefs. Never said anything about the Chiefs. Who I was referring to was the Giants fans, whoever people who might come at my live recording. I was referring to them, which I shouldn’t have.”
Toney never misses a chance to fight back with Giants fans who are angry that he produced so little in less than two full seasons with the team.
Just eight months ago, Toney gave a middle finger to Giants fans while he was getting sized for his Super Bowl LVII ring.
It makes it hard to take it at face value when he says that he isn’t drawing any extra motivation in the Super Bowl from trying to prove the Giants wrong for trading him.
“I’m really past that,” Toney said. “That’s immature.”
There is no guarantee that Toney will suit up Sunday against the 49ers, even after his monster fourth quarter that included a go-ahead 5-yard touchdown pass and a 65-yard punt return to set up another touchdown in last year’s championship win against the Eagles.
“Not my call,” Toney said Monday night. “I’m very confident, but at the end of the day I have to put my trust in the coaching staff.”
The trust needed some mending last week.
Toney said he addressed the video with “everybody,” including head coach Andy Reid. He also was mad that the birth of his daughter leaked into the media after he was listed on the injury report with “personal reasons.”
“I really didn’t come here to talk about that,” Toney said. “I’m a grown man. I can stand on what I said and what’s going on. A miscommunication, I guess you could say.”
Asked by The Post about his availability leading up to the Super Bowl, Toney said, “I’m good. I cleared it up. So, why are you asking me right here?”
Well, because the last time that some non-Chiefs saw the oft-injured Toney play, he was a difference-making X factor.
Those who follow the Chiefs closely, however, know that his this season didn’t pick up where last season left off as he managed 27 catches for 169 yards and one touchdown and — like his fellow receivers — was plagued by drops.
Toney called last year’s Super Bowl a “great moment” in his career but wants to look forward because “I try not to reflect on old stuff.”
“Facts: If the opportunity presents itself, I’m ready to execute,” Toney said. “Humble approach.”