Introduction
Shiloh Keo (born December 17, 1987) is an American football safety for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Selected in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft by the Houston Texans, he played college football for the University of Idaho in the Western Athletic Conference.
Early life and high school
Keo was one of seven children born in Washington state to Hawaiian Regan, an ILWU longshoreman, and Cuban-American Diana Keo. Keo's parents coached football and softball for 27 years.
Keo is a 2006 graduate of Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett, Washington, north of Seattle, where he played under head coach Terry Ennis. He transferred from Woodinville in 2004, following his sophomore year. As a senior, he played in the 2005 2A football state championship, but AMHS lost to Pullman.
College career
Keo earned the starting job as a true freshman at the University of Idaho in 2006 under head coach Dennis Erickson, establishing himself as a leader in the secondary with 72 total tackles. That year Keo was named an honorable mention on the Sporting News All-Freshman Team. Keo was the Vandals' team MVP in 2007 under first-year head coach Robb Akey. That season he established a new school record with a 100-yard punt return against Northern Illinois, in addition to also setting records in punt return yardage and punt return average. Injured early during the 2008 season, Keo redshirted and returned as a first team all-WAC conference safety as a junior in 2009, leading his team to their first winning record since 1999 and a Humanitarian Bowl victory. In 2010, Keo was once again named Team MVP and earned 2nd team all-WAC conference honors.
Professional career
Houston Texans
Keo was selected by the Houston Texans in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft, the 144th overall pick. He quickly made his mark in Houston as a standout player on special teams, notching 14 tackles and 1 interception in limited playing time. In 2012 he was voted as a team captain alongside JJ Watt and Chris Myers.
Going into the 2013 season, Keo battled with Ed Reed for the starting safety position in the Texans' secondary. Keo started the first two games of the season, notching 7 tackles and 8 yards rushing after a successful fake punt against the San Diego Chargers in the season opener. The Texans began increasing Keo's involvement in the defense in week 6 and by week 9, he was the starting safety. After Reed was cut by the Texans on November 12, 2013, Keo was officially listed as the team's starting safety. After an injury sidelined Keo early in the 2014 season, Keo was released from his contract.
Cincinnati Bengals
Keo signed a future contract with the Cincinnati Bengals and joined the team on February 2, 2015. He was released by the Bengals on September 5, 2015.
Denver Broncos
On December 9, 2015, Keo was signed by the Denver Broncos after tweeting former coach Wade Phillips, to "keep him in mind if another roster opening came around". In the regular season's final game on January 3 against the San Diego Chargers, Keo intercepted a tipped ball off Phillip Rivers which ultimately led to the game-winning touchdown drive.
During the AFC Championship game on January 24, 2016, between the Broncos and the New England Patriots, Keo recovered the Patriots' onside kick attempt with 12 seconds left in the 4th quarter, preserving a 20-18 win and sending the Broncos to Super Bowl 50.
Keo won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos after they beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10.
Keo signed a one year contract with the Broncos on April 18, 2016. On September 17, 2016, the Broncos released Keo. He was re-signed on September 20. He was released on October 25, 2016.
New Orleans Saints
On November 9, 2016 Keo was signed by the New Orleans Saints.
Personal life
In 2015, Keo and his wife, Keanna, whom he had met at Idaho University, settled in Eagle, Idaho with their two sons, Kruz and Kingston. The couple welcomed a third child in the spring of 2016.
On February 13, 2016, Keo was pulled over by police in Ada County, Idaho for having a broken taillight. He was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). In a drunken rant, Keo was captured on police footage saying such things as "hey, Obama, I can't wait to meet you... tell you about this bullshit" and "this is exactly why we have riots throughout the country, because of this bullshit." Keo later plead guilty to misdemeanor DUI, had his driver's license suspended and was ordered to serve a year of probation and pay a $952.50 fine.