After eight seasons within the NFL, Atlanta Falcons first-round decide Keanu Neal is retiring.
Neal, who additionally performed for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, introduced his retirement with an Instagram submit.
“God has blessed my household and I in so some ways,” he started his caption. “20 years in the past, I began this journey. As we speak, I’m retiring from the NFL. Gods’ timing is at all times the proper timing.”
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Atlanta Falcons robust security Keanu Neal (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Neal went on to thank everybody alongside that journey he began 20 years in the past.
“Wanna give a giant thanks to the Atlanta Falcons for drafting and giving me an opportunity to make an influence. To the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Bucs, and Pittsburgh Steelers.. Thanks for permitting me to proceed my profession with you. All prime notch organizations.
“I’m extremely grateful for the coaches and teammates I had the privilege of working with alongside the best way. Sumter County, South Sumter Excessive, Wolfpack, College of Florida, my household and pals..THANK YOU! All the teachings discovered by means of the sport has helped mildew me into who I’m right now. #Enforcer.”
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Neal didn’t play the 2024 season after failing a bodily with the Steelers, the crew he performed with in 2023.
Neal was one of many prime prospects heading into the 2016 NFL Draft after a profitable faculty profession on the College of Florida, resulting in the Falcons taking him seventeenth general that yr.
He made a right away influence as a rookie, tallying 106 tackles, 5 compelled fumbles and eight passes defended over 14 video games.
Neal would comply with it up along with his first and solely Professional Bowl marketing campaign, totaling a career-high 116 mixed tackles with one interception, six passes defended, three compelled fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Pittsburgh Steelers security Keanu Neal (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports activities)
Damage bought in the best way in 2018, when Neal tore his ACL within the season opener in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. Then in 2019, Neal tore his Achilles in Week 3 in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Falcons would train the fifth-year choice for Neal, so 2020 was a contract yr that labored out in his favor. He had 100 tackles, 9 for loss, with one interception.
However Neal ended up signing a prove-it contract the subsequent season with the Cowboys, a one-year deal value $5 million. He did in order a reunion along with his previous head coach, Dan Quinn, who was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator.
Neal ended up switching to linebacker from security with the Cowboys and performed 14 video games with 72 tackles.
In 2022, Neal signed one other one-year deal, this time with the Bucs on a $1.272 million deal to return to robust security. He had eight begins out of his 17 video games, posting 63 tackles, one interception and 4 passes defended.
Atlanta Falcons security Keanu Neal (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports activities)
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Lastly, Neal joined the Steelers in 2023 however was positioned on injured reserve on Nov. 18, ending his season prematurely.
For his profession, Neal had 523 mixed tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight compelled fumbles and 22 passes defended.
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