Former New York Jet Al Toon first came to our community playing football and running
track at the UW from 1981-84. He was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL draft. Playing his
entire career with the Jets, this three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver led the league in the 1988 season
and established a team record with 93 receptions. He never spiked the ball after he scored and led
the Jets in receptions for six consecutive seasons. He retired from football in 1992 at age 29 after
sustaining several concussions. He came home, successfully fought post-concussion syndrome and has
continued giving to his adopted community here in Dane County.
Al was always a "fan favorite" as an athlete and is now a widely respected businessman. He and wife
Jane have one son and three daughters. Daughters Molly and Sydney live at home while son Nick and
daughter Kirby attend the UW playing football and volleyball respectively. He recently said, "Being
a fan is just fine with me. I have four kids in sports, and I spend most of my time watching them.
It's great." He still managed to find the time to compete in a triathlon in 2004.
In 2009 Al began another career in football accepting a position with the Green Bay Packers Board of
Directors, serving with the marketing committee. In 1995 he was a founding member of Capitol Bank,
a local community bank, and serves on their Board. He is a past president of the National W Cub,
which is the UW's varsity letter-winners club. He also has served on the board of Boys and Girls Club
and The Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Additionally, he runs his own real estate company, AT8
Private Investment Companies, and is a current board member of National Guardian Life Insurance
Company.
The engagement with the Packers and watching his son play football at UW has brought Al full circle
with the sport that has brought him a few challenges but also some great rewards. "I would say that
I've been very blessed. I feel just fine physically and I'm happy to be in football again … I would
say life is great." It is just that attitude that led the Madison St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee
to recognize Al Toon as the 2010 Grand Marshall.
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Born - April 30, 1963 Newport News, Virginia
Career information
Year(s) 1985-1992
NFL Draft 1985 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10
College Wisconsin
2 times team MVP
All Big Ten
Professional teams - New York Jets (1985-1992)
NY Jets Career stats
Receptions 517
Receiving Yards 6,605
Touchdowns 31
3x Team MVP
3x Pro Bowl selection (1986, 1987, 1988)
3x All-Pro selection (1986, 1987, 1988)
Sources: Wikipedia, NFL.com & NY Daily News
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