Eddie Royal’s two return touchdowns earn special AFC honor

Not since 1961 had a Denver Bronco returned both a kickoff and punt for a touchdown in the same game (halfback Al Frazier), but that’s exactly what wide receiver Eddie Royal did Monday night. Royal returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of the Broncos’ 34-23 win over the San Diego Chargers, then added a 71-yard score on a punt return minutes later in the second.

That type of playmaking doesn’t go unnoticed, and the NFL did, informing the Broncos that Royal would be named the Week 6 AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Overall Royal returned five kickoffs for 158 yards (31.6 avg.) and three punts for 77 yards to give the Broncos the edge in a crucial AFC West battle on Monday Night Football.  His 235 total return yards set a franchise record.

Congratulations to Eddie on the first such award of his career.  The nods keep on coming for these 2009 Broncos!