Ryan Neal

BIOGRAPHY

Ryan Christopher Neal was born on Christmas Eve, 1995, and has risen through the ranks to become a renowned American football safety player. Currently, he is enjoying the independence that comes with being a free agent. His journey in the world of football started with Southern Illinois, where he played for four fruitful seasons during college. Through his hard work, he managed to make quite a significant contribution, recording 226 career tackles. Not one to hold back, he also recorded 6.5 tackles for loss, captured five interceptions, and achieved 19 passes defensed.

This energetic young player’s final year in college was marked by sheer exceptional performance, during which he led the team in three interceptions. He also went on to tie for the team lead with 84 tackles. Such impressive performance earned him honorable mention in the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference.

After his college years, on April 28, 2018, Neal embarked on his NFL journey, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. However, his time at Eagles was cut short when he was waived by the team during the training camp held on August 6, 2018.

Despite the setback, Neal’s journey was far from over. On August 11, 2018, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He faced another tribulation when he wasn’t included in the 53-man roster out of training camp. However, Neal’s determination was unwavering as he was eventually re-signed by the Falcons to the team’s practice squad on September 2, 2018. Paying testament to his perseverance, he was promoted to the Falcons’ active roster on November 28, 2018.

Neal did not have to wait long to make his NFL debut; it happened on December 9, 2018, in a game against the Green Bay Packers. Although his team suffered a loss (34–20), Neal got to leave an indelible mark on the NFL, playing on special teams in his only regular season appearance during his rookie year. Unfortunately, he was waived by the Falcons as part of the team’s final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.

On September 2, 2019, Neal found a new home at the Seattle Seahawks, initially signing to the practice squad. The following year, he was initially waived, then re-signed with the Seattle Seahawks on April 20, 2020. After a brief stint on the practice squad, Neal was quickly promoted to the active roster for the week 3 game against the Dallas Cowboys on September 26. With his interception of Dak Prescott’s pass in the end zone in the dying seconds, Neal ensured a 38–31 victory for the Seahawks.

In the wake of injured team players, Neal had his first start for the Seahawks on October 4, 2020, against the Miami Dolphins – an opportune moment that saw Neal make 6 tackles and catch his second interception from Ryan Fitzpatrick. His performance did not go unnoticed; he signed a one-year exclusive-rights free-agent tender with the Seahawks on June 8, 2021.

In the 2023 off-season, Neal found himself receiving a restricted free agent tender offer by the Seahawks. However, in an unexpected turn of events, the offer was rescinded by the team on March 31, 2023, rendering Neal an official free agent. Neal’s next stop was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signed with them on April 4, 2023.

Aside from his professional life, Ryan Christopher Neal carries a legacy in his family of Green Bay Packers. He is the younger brother of former Green Bay Packers’ linebacker, Mike Neal. Despite the shadow of such a successful sibling, Ryan Neal has carved out a name for himself with his exceptional performance and perseverance.