Mark Royals
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 (football) to retire from the NFL. He is currently 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.
No. 14, 5, 3 | |
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Position: | Punter |
Personal information | |
Born: | Mathews, Virginia | June 22, 1965
Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) |
Career information | |
College: | Appalachian State |
Undrafted: | 1986 |
Career history | |
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only |
Career
1994 AFC Wildcard Game
Royals may be best known for a bad punt he kicked in the 1993 NFL season 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] Royals was cut from the Steelers roster later in 1994.
References
- "The Chiefs' last home playoff win: Joe Montana, artificial turf and the Steelers". kansascity. January 13, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2018.