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. pic.twitter.com/JdOzD7j8C7
— 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.