Toohy played football with Loyola High School, and later attended Colorado College.[1][2] He began his pro career in 1947 with the Montreal Alouettes and was part of the Larks first Grey Cup championship. He played 59 games for the Als over 5 seasons and was selected as an all-star in 1948, '49 and '50.[3] He later played another 6 seasons with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where he won the Grey Cup in 1953 and 1957, and was an all-star at linebacker in 1953. Toohy was always a fan favourite, for booing, nicknamed "Toohy the Terrible."[4] He later married Theresa Lyons and settled in Hamilton, with their five children, running a trucking company.