Brett Toth’s Journey from West Point Cadet to Super Bowl Sunday Lineman – Guy D. McCardle
Brett Toth’s journey from the hallowed halls of West Point to the highest levels of the NFL speaks volumes to his exceptional talent and dedication. However, his path has been marked by a complex interplay between his commitment to military service and his professional football aspirations.
Early Life and West Point Commitment
Brett Marshall Toth was born on September 1, 1996, in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended West Ashley High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track and field. As a football player, he earned three varsity letters as a tight end and served as team captain. His performance on the field earned him all-conference and all-state honors.
After high school, Toth enrolled at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he studied physics and nuclear engineering while playing football for the Army Black Knights. He became a key player on the offensive line, starting games in each of his four years. During his junior season in 2016, he helped lead Army’s triple-option offense, which ranked second in the country with an average of 339.5 rushing yards per game. In his senior year in 2017, he played a vital role in Army’s offense, which finished as the top-ranked unit in the nation. His performance earned him an invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl, making him the last player from West Point to participate in the prestigious event.
Upon graduating in 2018, Toth initially faced a five-year active-duty service commitment, the standard requirement for West Point graduates. However, a policy change reduced this obligation to 24 months. After graduation, he served as a graduate assistant for the 2018 Army football team while also completing his engineering officer training at Fort Leonard Wood and earning a platoon leader position with the 3rd Chemical Brigade.
In 2019, a new Department of Defense policy allowed service academy graduates to defer their military service to pursue professional sports careers. This policy change opened the door for Toth to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, giving him the opportunity to pursue his NFL dreams while postponing his military obligations.
Navigating Military Obligations and NFL Aspirations
Navigating military obligations while pursuing a professional sports career has been a challenging journey for service academy athletes. Over the years, policies have evolved to accommodate both commitments, but not without controversy and debate.
In 2019, a policy change allowed service academy graduates to defer their military service if they were approved by the defense secretary, enabling them to play professional sports immediately after graduation. However, in 2022, lawmakers reversed this policy, requiring graduates to complete at least two years of active duty before becoming eligible for a waiver. This decision sparked significant debate, especially in cases like Army linebacker Andre Carter II, who had been on track to enter the NFL. In response, Congress passed an addendum exempting athletes who had enrolled at a service academy before June 1, 2021, from the new restrictions.
Brett Toth’s journey from the hallowed halls of West Point to the highest levels of the NFL speaks volumes to his exceptional talent and dedication. However, his path has been marked by a complex interplay between his commitment to military service and his professional football aspirations.
Early Life and West Point Commitment
Brett Marshall Toth was born on September 1, 1996, in Charleston, South Carolina. He attended West Ashley High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and track and field. As a football player, he earned three varsity letters as a tight end and served as team captain. His performance on the field earned him all-conference and all-state honors.
After high school, Toth enrolled at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he studied physics and nuclear engineering while playing football for the Army Black Knights. He became a key player on the offensive line, starting games in each of his four years. During his junior season in 2016, he helped lead Army’s triple-option offense, which ranked second in the country with an average of 339.5 rushing yards per game. In his senior year in 2017, he played a vital role in Army’s offense, which finished as the top-ranked unit in the nation. His performance earned him an invitation to the 2018 Senior Bowl, making him the last player from West Point to participate in the prestigious event.
Upon graduating in 2018, Toth initially faced a five-year active-duty service commitment, the standard requirement for West Point graduates. However, a policy change reduced this obligation to 24 months. After graduation, he served as a graduate assistant for the 2018 Army football team while also completing his engineering officer training at Fort Leonard Wood and earning a platoon leader position with the 3rd Chemical Brigade.
In 2019, a new Department of Defense policy allowed service academy graduates to defer their military service to pursue professional sports careers. This policy change opened the door for Toth to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, giving him the opportunity to pursue his NFL dreams while postponing his military obligations.
Navigating Military Obligations and NFL Aspirations
Navigating military obligations while pursuing a professional sports career has been a challenging journey for service academy athletes. Over the years, policies have evolved to accommodate both commitments, but not without controversy and debate.
In 2019, a policy change allowed service academy graduates to defer their military service if they were approved by the defense secretary, enabling them to play professional sports immediately after graduation. However, in 2022, lawmakers reversed this policy, requiring graduates to complete at least two years of active duty before becoming eligible for a waiver. This decision sparked significant debate, especially in cases like Army linebacker Andre Carter II, who had been on track to enter the NFL. In response, Congress passed an addendum exempting athletes who had enrolled at a service academy before June 1, 2021, from the new restrictions.
As of 2025, the rules remain strict for new cadets. Any service academy graduate from 2025 onward must serve at least two years on active duty before they can request a waiver to play professional sports. However, a new proposal in the House Armed Services Committee’s draft of the annual defense authorization bill could change that. The proposed amendment would allow athletes to skip their active-duty commitment and instead serve in a reserve role for up to ten years. Under this plan, they would be assigned to recruiting billets, helping to attract and retain military personnel while continuing their professional sports careers.
Some athletes have managed to balance both commitments successfully. New England Patriots long snapper Joe Cardona, for example, serves as a lieutenant in the Navy Reserves while maintaining his NFL career. He often works long days to meet both obligations, showing that it is possible to honor military service while playing at the highest level.
The debate over these policies continues. Critics argue that allowing academy athletes to go straight to professional sports wastes taxpayer-funded education and military training. On the other hand, supporters point out that only a handful of players qualify for these opportunities each year, and the academies already offer deferments for other non-athletic career paths. As policies evolve, service academy athletes must carefully navigate a complex system of regulations to pursue their NFL dreams while fulfilling their duty to the military.
Balancing Dual Roles
Brett Toth has managed to balance his NFL career with his military obligations through a combination of policy changes and personal dedication. After graduating from West Point in 2018, he initially served as a second lieutenant for a year before receiving a deferment that allowed him to pursue his professional football career. This opportunity came after a 2019 policy change that permitted service academy graduates to delay their military service, provided they received approval from the defense secretary. With this new path open, Toth signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent.
Even as he pursued his NFL dreams, Toth remained committed to his military service. While playing for the Arizona Cardinals, he worked as an instructor at Arizona State University’s Army ROTC program, reporting to his office five days a week during the offseason and on off days during the season. As of 2025, he continues to serve in a similar role at Temple University while playing for the Eagles.
Beyond his official duties, Toth has used his NFL platform to assist in military recruiting efforts, helping to attract new cadets and highlight the opportunities available in the Army for athletes. His journey hasn’t been without challenges—he has spent time on practice squads and battled through a torn ACL—but he has remained dedicated to both his country and his sport.
By fulfilling his military responsibilities during the NFL offseason and taking on roles that allow him to serve while continuing his football career, Toth has set an example of how service academy graduates can successfully navigate the demands of both the military and professional sports. His path reflects the evolving policies that make it possible for elite athletes to serve their country while competing at the highest level.
NFL Career and Super Bowl Appearances
Brett Toth’s NFL career has been a journey of perseverance and adaptability since he entered the league in 2019. After going undrafted, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles before being claimed by the Arizona Cardinals. Over the next few years, he played primarily for the Eagles, with a brief stint on the Carolina Panthers’ roster in 2023. As of 2025, he is back with the Eagles and continues to be a valuable asset on the offensive line.
Throughout his career, Toth has demonstrated impressive versatility. He has played in 17 regular-season games, with 11 appearances during the 2021 season for Philadelphia. His ability to play multiple positions—including center, right guard, right tackle, and even tight end—has made him a key depth player for the team.
Toth has also had the opportunity to compete on football’s biggest stage. In Super Bowl LVI (2022), he was on the Eagles’ injured reserve list when they faced the Kansas City Chiefs but was unable to play. Now, in 2025, he is set to make his first active Super Bowl appearance as part of the Eagles’ roster for Super Bowl LIX, once again facing the Chiefs.
During the 2024 season, Toth didn’t play in the regular season, but he contributed significantly in the playoffs. He appeared in all three of the Eagles’ postseason victories, primarily on special teams, and even took some offensive snaps in the NFC Championship game against the Washington Commanders.
As he prepares for the Super Bowl, Toth brings valuable big-game experience from his college days at Army, where he helped lead the Black Knights to a 2-0 record against Navy. This Super Bowl appearance marks a major milestone in his NFL career, as he now has the chance to win his first championship while continuing to balance his military service and professional football career.
Current Status of Military Commitment
As of February 2025, Brett Toth continues to juggle his NFL career with his military obligations. He is currently an active-duty soldier while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, thanks to a waiver that allows him to pursue professional football while fulfilling his military commitment.
Toth serves as an ROTC instructor at Temple University, a role similar to his previous position at Arizona State University’s Army ROTC program. This arrangement enables him to meet all of his professional responsibilities.
As a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Toth has successfully navigated the challenges of serving his country while competing at the highest level in football. His journey reflects the evolving policies that allow service academy graduates to pursue professional sports careers without completely stepping away from their military duties.
Balancing both commitments has required immense dedication and time management. Toth has faced obstacles such as spending time on practice squads and recovering from injuries, yet he has remained committed to both his service and his sport. His ability to manage these responsibilities highlights his resilience and adaptability, setting an example for future service academy athletes who dream of playing professional sports while serving their country.
Summing Up
Brett Toth’s story exemplifies the delicate balance between service to one’s country and the pursuit of personal dreams. His journey serves as an inspiring example of dedication, adaptability, and the complexities inherent in honoring multiple commitments.
