ON THE FALCONS BEAT
ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Falcons’ Keanu Neal sets NFL forced fumble mark

Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) takes down Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) after a short reception during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Credit: Chris O'Meara

Credit: Chris O'Meara

Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) takes down Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) after a short reception during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 18, 2017, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
By
Dec 19, 2017

Falcons safety Keanu Neal set an NFL record for most forced fumbles in the first two seasons by a defensive back in Monday night’s game against the Buccaneers. Neal set the mark with a forced fumble in the second quarter.

Neal hit Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber on the Atlanta 4-yard line and recovered the fumbled.

It was his third forced fumble of the season and eighth of his career.

Neal was tied with David Whitmore (1990-91) who also had seven.

The Falcons were up 14-7 when Neal stopped the scoring threat.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

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