Andre Tierre Royal (born December 1, 1972) is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who played linebacker for five seasons for the Carolina Panthers and the Indianapolis Colts. Royal had 140 career tackles, 6 solo sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. Royal was traded to the Indianapolis Colts following several off-the-field incidents prior to the start of the season with The New Orleans Saints. College career Royal played at Alabama under head coach Gene Stallings. He was part of the 1992-1993 National Championship team. He later took part in the 1995 Senior Bowl. Professional career 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. After reporting to Saints training camp 20 or 30 players including Royal, were involved in a team publicized hazing event in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Several rookies, including Cam Cleeland, were hit with a pillowcase filled with coins as they had to walk through 20 to 30 players lined up on each side of a dormitory hallway. Six players were singled out and named in a lawsuit including: 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 a head injury by Coach Mike Dikta in a team meeting; Dikta and Royal engaged in a highly publicized and televised shouting match. Dikta fined Royal $50,000 which Royal appealed to the NFL. Dikta was found to have been "baiting a player" and was fined $50,000.00 instead. In the trade with the Colts, the Saints acquired tight end Scott Slutzker from the Colts 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 for the Indianapolis Colts leading the Defense across from Offensive All-Pro, Peyton Manning. However, after playing two seasons with the Colts, Royal's NFL Career