Hall of Fame
Mark Royals is one of Chowan’s most famous football alumni after having spent 15 seasons in the NFL with six different teams as one the league’s premier punters. Royals, a native of Virginia, came to Chowan in 1981 where he played two very successful seasons under then Coach Jim Garrison. In his first season as a Brave, Royals helped secure a 1981 East Bowl Championship over Jones College. In his sophomore season Mark earned All-Conference honors and was highly recruited by several universities.
Royals went on to continue his college football career at Appalachian State University where he also had two very successful playing seasons. He left ASU as the holder of six school records for punting. After graduating from ASU, Royals spent four seasons trying to break into the NFL ranks. He bounced around from 1986 to 1989 trying to make the cut on four NFL team rosters before finally making a home for himself with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1990.
After two seasons with the Bucs, Royals spent three seasons punting for the Pittsburgh Steelers and in his final season as a Steeler led the NFL with punts inside the 20-yard line. Royals spent the 1995 and 1996 playing seasons in Detroit before making his way to New Orleans to join the Saints for the 1997 and 1998 playing seasons. In 1997 he led the NFL in punting averages at 45.9 yards. Royals rejoined the Bucs roster for three seasons (’99-01) and spent the last year of his career with the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003.
Royals and his family reside in Tampa, Florida. He and his wife, Kimberly, have two daughters, Alexandra and Katie. He now spends time touring the state of Florida doing motivational speeches while also making time for the local Chapter for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has been very active in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program in Tampa along with the Boys and Girls Clubs. Royals also does local television and radio spots in Tampa and has a part-time real estate investment firm.
