After eight seasons in the NFL, Keanunil, the first round pick for the Atlanta Falcons, is retired.
Neil, who also played for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers, announced his retirement in an Instagram post.
“God blessed my family and me in many ways,” he began the caption. “Twenty years ago, I began this journey. Today I'm retired from the NFL. God's timing is always the right timing.”
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Atlanta Falcons Strong Safety Keene Neal (Dale Zanine-USA Today Sports)
Neil thanked everyone along that journey he began 20 years ago.
“We would like to thank the Atlanta Falcons for their drafting for the opportunity to make an impact. We would like to thank the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Baybucks and Pittsburgh Steelers. A top-notch organization.
“I am very grateful to my coach and my teammates. I was able to work together along the way. University of Florida South Sumter High, South Sumter High, my family and friends.. Thank you very much! All the lessons I learned through the game helped me shape who I am today.
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Neal didn't play the 2024 season after a physical failure with the Steelers, the team he played in 2023.
Neil was one of the top prospects heading into the 2016 NFL Draft after a successful college career at the University of Florida, with the Falcons 17th overall that year.
He made an immediate impact as a rookie, with 106 tackles, five forced fumbles and eight passes defended in 14 games.
Neil followed it up with his first and only Pro Bowl campaign, adding up one interception, six passes, three forced fumbles, two fumble recovery and a career-high 116 tackles .
Pittsburgh Steelers Safety Keene Neil (Charles Leclair Usa is sports today)
Injury was hampered in 2018 when Neil tore his ACL in the season-opening match against the Philadelphia Eagles. Then in 2019, Neal tore the Indianapolis Colts and Achilles in the third week.
2020 was a contract year that went well with his favor as the Falcons exercised Neil's fifth-year option. He had one intercept for 100 tackles, nine losses.
However, Neal was to prove his contract the following season with the Cowboys, a one-year deal worth $5 million. He did so as a reunion with his old head coach, Dan Quinn, who was the Cowboys defensive coordinator.
Neil switched to linebacker due to safety with the Cowboys and played 14 games with 72 tackles.
In 2022, Neil signed a further year contract. This time, he signed with Bucs on a $1.272 billion deal to return to strong safety. He started eight times in eight of his 17 games, defending 63 tackles, one interception and four passes.
Atlanta Falcons Safety Keene Neal (Dale Zanine-USA Today Sports)
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Finally, Neal joined the Steelers in 2023, but was placed in an injured reserve on November 18th, and his season ended prematurely.
For his career, Neal defended 523 tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and 22 passes.
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