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Mark Alan Royals (born June 22, 1965) is a former American football punter in the National Football League. He attended Mathews High School. He was the last player from the St. Louis Cardinals to retire from the NFL. He was a color commentator for coverage of the Arena Football League's Tampa Bay Storm on the regional sports television network Spectrum Sports Florida. He has also co-hosted various sports radio shows since retiring.

Mark Royals

No. 14, 5, 3
Position:	Punter
Personal information
Born:	(1963-06-22) June 22, 1963 (age 59) Mathews, Virginia
Height:	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:	225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:	Mathews (VA)
College:	Appalachian State
Undrafted:	1986
Career history
Dallas Cowboys (1986)* Philadelphia Eagles (1987) St. Louis Cardinals (1987) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1990–1991) Pittsburgh Steelers (1992–1994) Detroit Lions (1995–1996) New Orleans Saints (1997–1998) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1999–2001) Miami Dolphins (2002) Jacksonville Jaguars (2003)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
NFL record Most punts inside the 20 in a game: 8 (1994; tied with Bryan Barker)
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Career

1994 AFC Wildcard Game

Royals may be best known for a bad punt he kicked in the 1993 AFC wildcard game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Kansas City Chiefs on January 8, 1994. Near the end of the fourth quarter with Pittsburgh leading Kansas City by seven points, Royals failed to direct a punt towards a sideline, and instead, punted the ball forward directly towards the line of scrimmage. The punt was blocked and recovered by Kansas City. With 1:43 remaining in the fourth quarter and on 4th down, Kansas City quarterback Joe Montana threw a touchdown pass to receiver Tim Barnett. The ensuing PAT tied the game which then went into sudden death overtime. Kansas City kicker Nick Lowery eventually kicked the game winning field goal for the Chiefs eliminating the Steelers from the playoffs.[1]

References

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