Falcons safety Keanu Neal with his girlfriend, Chelsey Tekavec. (Instagram)
Atlanta Falcons rookie safety Keanu Neal is dating Chelsey Tekavec.
She is a former college volleyball player who graduated this past year and is now working as a sports journalist.
Here’s what you need to know about Chelsey Tekavec:
1. Tekavec Grew Up in Ohio & Played Volleyball at Florida Atlantic University
Chelsey Tekavec grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, and was a standout volleyball player at Solon High School. She went on to play both indoor and beach volleyball at Florida Atlantic University, graduating in 2016.
She started out her collegiate career at Valparaiso University in Indiana, and then transferred to FAU.
Her sisters, Kristi and Dena, also both play volleyball at Florida Atlantic.
2. She Is a Journalist & Recently Began a New Job With CNN
Tekavec, who is pursuing a career in professional volleyball and has also worked as a model, is a sports journalist. She recently began a job at CNN, according to her sister.
Before taking the job in Atlanta at CNN, she worked an announcer during SEC and ACC volleyball games on ESPN.
“My dream would be to do sideline reporting for professional sports teams such as baseball, basketball games or football,” she says on Linkedin. “I have experience in front of the microphone as well as behind the scenes work and in direct production.”
3. Her Parents Are Also Athletes & Competed on the TV Show ‘American Gladiators’ in the 1980s
Rod Tekavec, Christy’s father. (Twitter)
Athleticism runs in the Tekavec family’s blood. Along with Chelsey and her sisters, their parents, Rod and Ruth, are both also athletes at Kent State University.
According to Florida Atlantic, Ruth was a gymnast and Rod played football for the Golden Flash.
So blessed to have this special time with Dena Tekavec on her Solon High School Homecoming Memories last a lifetime http://t.co/18t8etvOKX
They both competed on the 1980s TV show “American Gladiators.”
4. Neal & Tekavec Met While He Was Playing Football at the University of Florida
Tekavec and Neal both played for colleges in Florida. While Tekavec was at Florida Atlantic, Neal was starring for the University of Florida Gators.
It is not known when they began dating, but Neal and Tekavec began posting photos together on Instagram and Twitter in June 2016.
Neal left Florida after his junior season and was drafted by the Falcons with the 17th pick of the 2016 NFL Draft.
5. She Was Nicknamed ‘Chonce’ by Her College Teammates for Her Tendency to Burst Into Song
Tekavec was nicknamed “Chonce,” by her college volleyball teammates for her tendency to burst into song, according to the University Press.
“She said she’s better than Beyonce when it comes to singing,” her beach volleyball coach Capri Grotowski said. “She’s quite a goofball and fun to have around.”
A teammate, Andrea Galinis, told the University Press, “Chelsey might be one of the weirdest people to be around to be honest, but she’s actually hilarious and a really fun time and I really enjoy playing with her.”
