Andre Royal 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