Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal took to social media to defend his hit on Washington wide receiver Jordan Reed in last Thursday’s game.

“People were like coming to me about it and saying things,” Neal said on Tuesday. “For me, I never have ill intent playing the game. Obviously, I’m a physical player and I’m an enforcer. That’s my game. But to try to hit someone helmet to helmet, that’s not me. That’s not my game. That’s what I tried to relay through the twitter.”

On third-and-7 from Washington’s 26, Neal and DeVondre Campbell pummeled Reed after catching a 10-yard pass from Case Keenum. The Falcons were penalized 15 yards as Neal was called for lowering the head to initiate contact on the play.

---

Subscribe to "The Bow Tie Chronicles" podcast with the AJC's D. Orlando Ledbetter on iTunes or on the new AJC sports podcasts page.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons fans cheer their team at training camp practice on Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Flowery Branch. (Curtis Compton/AJC)

Credit: Curtis Compton / Curtis.Compton@

Featured

UPS driver Dan Partyka delivers an overnight package. As more people buy more goods online, the rapid and unrelenting expansion of e-commerce is causing real challenges for the Sandy-Springs based company. (Bob Andres/AJC 2022)

Credit: TNS