After eight seasons in the NFL, Keanu Neal, a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons, has announced his retirement. Neal, who also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Pittsburgh Steelers, shared the news via an Instagram post. He expressed gratitude, stating, “God has blessed my family and I in so many ways. 20 years ago, I started this journey. Today, I am retiring from the NFL. God’s timing is always the right timing.”
In his message, Neal thanked those who supported him throughout his career, saying, “I want to give a big thank you to the Atlanta Falcons for drafting me and giving me a chance to make an impact. To the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Bucs, and Pittsburgh Steelers, thank you for allowing me to continue my career with you. All top-notch organizations. I am incredibly grateful for the coaches and teammates I had the privilege of working with along the way. Sumter County, South Sumter High, Wolfpack, University of Florida, my family and friends… THANK YOU! All the lessons learned through the game have helped mold me into who I am today. #Enforcer.”
Neal did not play in the 2024 season after failing a physical with the Steelers, the team he was with in 2023. He was a highly regarded prospect heading into the 2016 NFL Draft after a successful college career at the University of Florida, leading to his selection as the 17th overall pick by the Falcons. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, recording 106 tackles, five forced fumbles, and eight passes defended in 14 games. Neal followed that up with his only Pro Bowl season, achieving a career-high 116 combined tackles, one interception, six passes defended, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
Injuries plagued Neal’s career, as he tore his ACL in the 2018 season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles and later tore his Achilles in Week 3 of the 2019 season against the Indianapolis Colts. The Falcons exercised his fifth-year option, and in 2020, he had a strong contract year with 100 tackles, nine for loss, and one interception.
Neal signed a one-year, $5 million prove-it contract with the Cowboys the following season, reuniting with his former head coach, Dan Quinn, who was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Transitioning from safety to linebacker, Neal played 14 games and recorded 72 tackles. In 2022, he signed another one-year deal with the Buccaneers for $1.272 million, returning to strong safety, where he started eight of 17 games and posted 63 tackles, one interception, and four passes defended.
Neal joined the Steelers in 2023 but was placed on injured reserve on November 18, ending his season early. Over his career, Neal accumulated 523 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and 22 passes defended.
