Latest news with #KeanuNeal
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons pass on Keanu Neal, take Pro Bowl DT in PFF's 2016 NFL redraft
Pro Football Focus 2016 NFL redraft Falcons pass on former first-round pick Keanu Neal The Atlanta Falcons' 2016 season is one that fans will never forget, from the incredible highs of Matt Ryan's MVP campaign, to the painful loss against the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. It all started when the Falcons drafted safety Keanu Neal in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. Neal, a standout out at Florida, initially looked like he would be a star in Atlanta's secondary for years to come. After a promising rookie season -- 106 combined tackles, eight passes defended and five forced fumbles -- Neal played even better in 2017 and made the NFC Pro Bowl team. Unfortunately, Neal went on to suffer serious injuries in 2018 and 2019, drastically altering what could have been a great NFL career. He officially retired from the league in February. If given the chance for a do-over in the 2016 NFL draft, would the Falcons still take Neal? Atlanta went in a different direction in Pro Football Focus' 2016 NFL redraft, passing on Neal for defensive lineman Javon Hargrave. The two-time Pro Bowler was a consistent force of interior pressure and could have formed a dynamic duo with former Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett. Falcons take DL Javon Hargrave in PFF's 2016 NFL redraft: Hargrave was a solid player across four years in Pittsburgh, but he developed into one of the league's elite pass rushers during his time in Philadelphia and San Francisco. From 2020 to 2023, his 92.4 PFF pass-rush grade, 12.9% pressure rate and 15.9% pass-rush win rate all ranked third in the NFL — behind future Hall of Famers Aaron Donald and Chris Jones. -- Max Chadwick, Dalton Wasserman and Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus Other current/former Falcons players in PFF redraft There were a few other current and former Falcons players selected in PFF's 2016 redraft, including defensive tackle David Onyemata, outside linebacker Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons. Both Judon and Simmons spent the 2024 season in Atlanta and are among the top defensive free agents still available.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Steelers safety announces retirement from NFL
This article originally appeared on Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Keanu Neal has announced his retirement from the NFL after eight seasons. The 29-year-old Neal spent his final season with the Steelers in 2023. He announced his retirement in an Instagram post on Sunday. '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. Gods' timing is always the right timing,' Neal wrote. '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.' Click here to read more from Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
USA Today
24-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Bucs DB Keanu Neal retires from the NFL
While he won't be remembered by many Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans for his lone season with the team, he was one of the more underappreciated players at his position. Former Bucs safety Keanu Neal announced his retirement from the NFL on Sunday. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media shared the message from Neal's social earlier in the day. Former first-round safety and Pro Bowler Keanu Neal announces his retirement. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 23, 2025 Neal was drafted by the Bucs division rival Atlanta Falcons 17th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft. He would make the All-Rookie team in 2016 and be named to a Pro Bowl in 2017 before leaving the Falcons for stops with the Cowboys, Steelers, and of course, the Bucs. His lone season in Tampa Bay came in 2022 and was the only year he played in 17 games in a season. He accumulated 63 tackles, four pass breakups, and one interception in that season as well. Neal retires now in a career that saw him play football at every level in the state of Florida. High school was competed at Bushnell, Florida before heading to Gainesville to be a Gator. It was a full-circle career that came to a close at the age of 29 for Neal. Bucs Wire wishes him all the best in his future endeavors.
Fox News
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Keanu Neal, one-time Pro Bowler, announces retirement after 8 NFL seasons
After eight seasons in the NFL, Atlanta Falcons first-round pick Keanu Neal is retiring. 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 I in so many ways," he began his caption. "20 years ago, I started this journey. Today, I am retiring from the NFL. Gods' timing is always the right timing." Neal went on to thank everyone along that journey he started 20 years ago. "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 YOU! All the lessons learned through the game has helped mold me into who I am today. #Enforcer." Neal didn't play the 2024 season after failing a physical with the Steelers, the team he played with in 2023. Neal was one of the top prospects heading into the 2016 NFL Draft after a successful college career at the University of Florida, leading to the Falcons taking him 17th overall that year. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, tallying 106 tackles, five forced fumbles and eight passes defended over 14 games. Neal would follow it up with his first and only Pro Bowl campaign, totaling a career-high 116 combined tackles with one interception, six passes defended, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Injury got in the way in 2018, when Neal tore his ACL in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Then in 2019, Neal tore his Achilles in Week 3 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Falcons would exercise the fifth-year option for Neal, so 2020 was a contract year that worked out in his favor. He had 100 tackles, nine for loss, with one interception. But Neal ended up signing a prove-it contract the next 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. Neal ended up switching to linebacker from safety with the Cowboys and played 14 games with 72 tackles. In 2022, Neal signed another one-year deal, this time with the Bucs on a $1.272 million deal to go back to strong safety. He had eight starts out of his 17 games, posting 63 tackles, one interception and four passes defended. Finally, Neal joined the Steelers in 2023 but was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 18, ending his season prematurely. For his career, Neal had 523 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and 22 passes defended. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Falcons fans react to Pro Bowl safety Keanu Neal's retirement
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: (L-R) Keanu Neal of Florida holds up a jersey with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #17 overall by the Atlanta Falcons during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by) Former Atlanta Falcons safety Keanu Neal is officially calling it a career. The 29-year-old announced he was retiring from the NFL in a social media post that thanked the Falcons for giving him his start. "Wanna give a big thank you to the Atlanta Falcons for drafting and giving me a chance to make an impact," Neal posted on Sunday. The Falcons selected Neal with the 17th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He spent five seasons in Atlanta (2016-2020) but suffered a few devastating injuries right when his career seemed to be taking off. Advertisement Neal made the Pro Bowl in his second season before missing most of the 2018 and 2019 seasons due to injuries. Falcons fans wished the former first-round pick well on Twitter. Falcons fans react to Neal's retirement: Neal appeared in 89 career games (69 starts), recording 523 tackles (361 solo), eight forced fumbles and four interceptions over eight years in the NFL. More Latest Falcons News! Former Falcons first-round draft pick announces retirement from NFL Falcons send Kirk Cousins to rebuilding AFC team in proposed trade Advertisement How much cap space do Falcons have after NFL's projected increase? NFL analyst recommends Falcons extend star wide receiver Falcons land NCAA sacks leader in new 2025 NFL mock draft This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons fans react to Pro Bowl safety Keanu Neal's retirement
