Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Keanu Neal has called it a career. Neal took to Instagram to announce his retirement from the NFL. He did not play in the NFL in 2024 after the Steelers released him with a failed physical designation in March.
"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. 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," Neal said in a statement.
Neal, 29, had injuries catch up to him. He picked off Jordan Love in his final career snap but suffered a rib injury that would cost him the rest of the season and land him with the failed physical designation.
The Steelers signed him to a two-year contract in 2023. A first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Florida, Neal burst onto the scene as a force to be reckoned with, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2017.
However, injuries caught up to him and sapped his athleticism as he played with his physical mentality. After leaving the Falcons in 2020, he bounced around to the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and, on his last stretch, the Steelers.
Neal finished his career with 523 tackles, four interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and 22 pass deflections.
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