Shaka Toney
Shaka Felton Toney is an American professional football defensive end for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League. He played college football at Penn State and was selected by the Washington Football Team in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. Toney was suspended by the NFL for the 2023 season for betting on NFL games the previous year and was released by Washington upon being reinstated.Early life
Toney was born on January 8, 1998, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended Imhotep Institute Charter High School. As a senior he was named the Pennsylvania Football News Class AAA Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-State after recording 97 tackles and 21 sacks.College career
At Penn State, Toney redshirted his true freshman season. As a redshirt freshman Toney recorded 20 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks with two forced fumbles and was named to the Big Ten Network's All-Freshman team. He finished his redshirt sophomore season with 7.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Toney was named second-team All-Big Ten Conference after making 41 tackles with eight tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.Professional career
Toney was selected by the Washington Commanders in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021. In Week 12, Toney recorded his first career sack in a 17–15 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. On April 21, 2023, Toney was suspended indefinitely by the league for betting on NFL games during the 2022 season. He was reinstated on April 18, 2024, and was released by the team four days later.On August 1, 2024, Toney signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He was waived with an injury designation on August 14.St. Louis Battlehawks
Toney signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League on June 3, 2025.On January 13, 2026, Toney was selected by the Houston Gamblers in the 2026 UFL Draft.