Keanu Neal, a safety who played for eight teams in his eight-season NFL career, has announced his retirement. The 32-year-old announced his decision on Instagram, citing that “God’s timing is always the right timing.”
Neal began his journey with the Atlanta Falcons in 2015 and was drafted by the team as the 17th overall pick in the 2016 draft. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, tallying 106 tackles, five forced fumbles, and eight passes defended over 14 games.
Throughout his career, Neal played for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and other teams. He experienced varying levels of success, including one Pro Bowl appearance in 2018 and a season-ending injury that required multiple surgeries.
In recent years, Neal’s playing time was limited due to injuries, but he remained a reliable contributor to his teams’ defenses. Despite the setbacks, Neal expressed gratitude towards his coaches, teammates, and families, crediting them for helping him become the person he is today.
Neal retired without playing in the 2024 season, citing a failed physical examination by the Steelers. For his career, he recorded 523 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and 22 passes defended.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/keanu-neal-one-time-pro-bowler-announces-retirement-after-8-nfl-seasons