Malachi Toney’s stardom on display when hosting youth football camp

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 Malachi Toney’s name and his No. 1, 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.

“He handles it very well. … He handles it very mature, like a young adult,” Toney said. “I didn’t expect him to handle it so well going into college, but he did very well. He did. Seeing him adapt to the, as they would say, fame, celebrity status and people calling his name, he adapts to it very well.”

What the elder Toney appreciates most is that she knows her son is giving kids a good role model to look up to.

“What I’m most proud about is the fact that he’s a positive figure for them to look up to,” Toney said. “So every time I see it, it’s better for me because I know that the kids are looking — I’m his mom, so I know behind the scenes, and I know they’re genuinely looking up to somebody that’s positive.”

Toney has made charitable efforts in the community a big part of his newfound stardom. Last year, he started the Toney Foundation, which debuted with a Thanksgiving turkey giveaway at Washington Park last year.

“I just know what it feels like to be at the bottom,” Toney said. “So that’s why I’m forever humble and grateful to be where I’m at and be in this position right now. I know what it feels like to come from nothing. I came from nothing.”