Few safeties embodied toughness to the degree of Keanu Neal. As early as he was in the Atlanta Falcons part of his playing career, or as late as his final snap with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Neal played football harder than anyone. After eight NFL seasons, the one-time first-round draft choice has retired.
Keanu Neal Announces Retirement
“God has blessed my family and I in so many ways. Particularly in the game of football. 20 years ago, I started this journey. Today, I am retiring from the NFL,” Keanu Neal wrote on Instagram.com. God’s timing is always the right timing. Wanna give a big thank you to the Atlanta Falcons for drafting 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 has helped mold me into who I am today. #Enforcer”
Keanu Neal’s decision to walk away from football comes after spending the 2023 campaign playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following his season being terminated early due to a rib injury, the Steelers waived him with a failed physical designation in March 2024. Rather than attempt a comeback, Neal decided to move on from the game, ending a career during which he had made a substantial impact while overcoming some serious injury setbacks.
A product of the University of Florida, Keanu Neal was selected by the NFL as the 17th overall pick of the 2016 draft and immediately became a foundation stone of the Falcons’ defense. In his rookie year, he was a member of the PFWA All-Rookie Team, and by 2017, he was a Pro Bowler after recording 116 tackles and three forced fumbles. He was one of the main performers in Atlanta’s Super Bowl LI campaign, leading them to the championship game in his inaugural year.
Injuries Halted a Promising Career
Tragically, injuries became a prevalent trend in Keanu Neal’s career, preventing him from accomplishing his full potential. After two respectable years with the Falcons, Neal suffered an ACL tear during Week 3 of the 2018 season and sat out for the remainder of the year. The following year, ill fate again befell him when he suffered an Achilles rupture during Week 3 of 2019, being able to play just four games in total over two seasons.
Despite all this, Neal fought back onto the gridiron, ending his career in Atlanta before a transfer to the Cowboys in 2021, then the Buccaneers in 2022, and eventually the Steelers in 2023. His characteristic hard-hitting style was yet very much intact, but the career of Neal never once touched its original trend. Despite such adversity, Neal did accrue 523 tackles, four interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries throughout his career.
Final Thoughts
Keanu Neal’s retirement marks the end of an injury-ridden career. Though aches and pains cut his time in his prime short, overall play—especially early on with Atlanta—will not be forgotten by me. With him retiring from the game, people will remember him as a never-back-down type of gamer who gave everything to each outing upon entering the ballpark.
Apart from football, Neal’s legacy motivates younger players who have encountered adversity. His resilience in recovering from debilitating injuries and remaining competitive at an elite level speaks volumes of his determination. His playing days are now a memory, but his journey is guaranteed to make its footprint in the game.
