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| - Andre Tierre Royal (born December 1, 1972 in Theodore, Alabama) is a former professional football player in the National Football League who played linebacker for five seasons for the Carolina Panthers and the Indianapolis Colts. The New Orleans Saints traded Royal to the Indianapolis Colts following several off-the-field incidents. Royal signed a guaranteed $4.085 million contract with the Saints as a free agent after previously attaining All-Pro status with the Carolina Panthers, and was expected to start at strong-side linebacker. He was replaced in the Saints' final exhibition game by backup Keith Mitchell. Royal was accused by a Bourbon Street stripper of groping her however charges against him were dropped when witnesses and employees disagreed with her version of events. After reporting to Saints training camp several players were involved in a team publicized hazing event. The six players allegedly involved were Royal, Brady Smith, Brian Jones, Isaac Davis, Troy Davis, and Keith Mitchell. Defensive line coach Walt Corey was also named as a defendant. Royal admitted to participating in the incident but said he did not hit the rookies with any objects as the defendants were accused of doing. The Saints' settled with the injured player. The settlement covered all the players except Royal whose suit was dismissed. After being accused of faking an injury by Coach Mike Ditka, Ditka and Royal engaged in a highly publicized and televised shouting match. Ditka fined Royal $50,000 which Royal appealed to the NFL. Ditka was found to have been "baiting a player" and was fined $50,000 instead. In the trade with the Colts, the Saints acquired tight end Scott Slutzker for Royal, having been short-handed at that position because of injuries, including that of No. 2 draft pick Cam Cleeland. Royal went on to star on the field and off for the Indianapolis Colts leading the defense across from offensive superstar Peyton Manning. However, after playing two seasons with the Colts, Royal's NFL career came to an end after suffering several head injuries. The Colts, led by Jim Mora, attempted to block Royal's retirement from the NFL. However Royal was allowed to retire by Court Order after the Colts lost their suit against him and their bid to force Royal to play the last 2 years of his guaranteed contract. Royal had offered to voluntarily give up the last 2 years salary on his 4 year contract with the Colts in exchange for being allowed to retire at the end of the season. Despite Royal's official retirement from the NFL in 2001, several teams approached him about returning to the NFL including the Dallas Cowboys, who offered Royal a 2-year deal following his retirement. Although Andre Royal never played football before moving to Northport, AL his 8th grade year in Jr. High School, he went on to earn a 4 year college scholarship to The University of Alabama where he studied Criminal Justice and played on the 1992 NCAA Division I National Football Championship Team. He also had an all pro career in the NFL, playing on the inaugural team of the Carolina Panthers and in several NFC Championship games. CHILDREN: Tierra Andrena Royal
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