Mark Royals is a former American football punter who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 17 seasons. He began his career in 1987 as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals, but was released before the start of the regular season. He then signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he spent the next four seasons.
In 1992, Royals signed with the New Orleans Saints, where he played for six seasons. During his time with the Saints, he set a team record for the longest punt in franchise history, with a 77-yard kick in 1994. He also earned a reputation as one of the most consistent punters in the league, finishing in the top 10 in net punting average in four of his six seasons with the team.
After leaving the Saints in 1998, Royals played for a number of different teams over the next several years. He spent one season with the Seattle Seahawks, two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and one season each with the Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions. He also had brief stints with the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots.
Throughout his career, Royals was known for his strong leg and his ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory. He finished his career with a career average of 42.9 yards per punt, and he had 469 punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
In addition to his success on the field, Royals was also known for his work off the field. He was a two-time nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which recognizes players for their community service and charitable work. He was also a member of the NFL Players Association's Executive Committee, where he worked to improve the working conditions and benefits for NFL players.
After retiring from the NFL in 2003, Royals worked as a color commentator for college football games on ESPN and the SEC Network. He also served as a volunteer coach for his son's high school football team.
Overall, Mark Royals had a long and successful career as an NFL punter, earning a reputation as one of the most consistent and reliable players at his position. He also made a significant impact off the field, using his platform as a professional athlete to give back to his community and advocate for his fellow players.
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