May 2: Malachi Toneys stardom on display when hosting youth football camp
Article credit: Adam Lichtenstein
HOLLYWOOD — “Do not try to rush him,” a coach told an eager group of children at Hollywood’s Washington Park on a hot Saturday afternoon.
The kids, decked out in orange, green and white shirts that bore Toney’s name and his No. 1 Malachi , were pushing toward the fence to a football field, cheering for their new icon and hoping maybe he would give them a high-five as he walked past. Miami sophomore Malachi Toney was hosting a free youth football camp, and more than 300 South Florida children signed up to attend and practice with the UM star.
“Once upon a time, I was them,” Toney said, “looking up the kids my age now and the kids that (were) balling when I was their age. But it’s just a blessing to even be out here.”
The fame is still relatively new for the young Hurricanes receiver. He was a local star during his time at American Heritage , but it has taken on a new fervor after Toney became the most electric player on the Miami team that reached the national title game for the first time since the 2002 season.
“The kids in the park always looked up to me because I was the best player in the park,” Toney said. “So it’s been normal.”
Toney’s mother, Toni Toney, said the star receiver has handled the new level of fame well.
