After eight seasons at the NFL, the first round of Atlanta Falcons, Keanu Neal, retires.
Neal, who also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, announced his retirement with an Instagram post.
“God has blessed my family and in many ways,” began his legend. “20 years ago, I started this trip. Today, I retire from the NFL. The moment of the gods is always the right time.”
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Atlanta Falcons Safety Keanu Neal (Dale Zanine-USA Today Sports)
Neal thanked everyone on that trip that began 20 years ago.
“I want to thank the Atlanta Falcons for writing and give me the opportunity to have an impact. Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Bucs and Pittsburgh Steelers … Thank you for allowing me to continue my career with you. First level organizations.
“I am incredibly grateful for the coaches and teammates with whom I had the privilege of working on the road. Sumter County, South Sumter High, Wolfpack, University of Florida, my family and friends … Thank you! All the Lessons learned through the game has helped me to mold who I am today.
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Neal did not play the 2024 season after failing a physicist with the Steelers, the team he played in 2023.
Neal was one of the best prospects that went to the 2016 NFL Draft after a successful university career at the University of Florida, which led the Falcons that took him 17th in general that year.
He had an immediate impact as a rookie, with 106 tacle, five forced loose balls and eight passes defended in 14 games.
Neal would follow him with his first and only Pro Bowl campaign, totaling 116 tacle combined with an interception, six defeated passes, three forced loose balls and two recoveries of a loose ball.
Pittsburgh Steelers Security Keanu Neal (Charles Leclaire-USA Today Sports)
The injury was brought in 2018, when Neal turned his ACL in the first game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles. Then, in 2019, Neal took the Achilles in week 3 against the Indianapolis colts.
The Falcons would exercise the fifth year option for Neal, so 2020 was a year of contract that worked in their favor. He had 100 cups, nine for loss, with an interception.
But Neal ended up signing a test contract next season with the Cowboys, a one -year contract worth $ 5 million. He did it as a meeting with his former chief coach, Dan Quinn, who was the defensive coordinator of the cowboys.
Neal ended up changing the supporter from security with the cowboys and played 14 games with 72 cups.
In 2022, Neal signed another one -year agreement, this time with the BUCs in a $ 1,272 million agreement to return to strong security. He had eight openings of his 17 games, publishing 63 tacle, an interception and four defeated passes.
Atlanta Falcons Safety Keanu Neal (Dale Zanine-USA Today Sports)
Finally, Neal joined the Steelers in 2023, but was placed in the injured reserve on November 18, ending his season prematurely.
For his career, Neal had 523 tacle combined, 2.5 captures, eight forced loose balls and 22 defeated passes.
