Mike Battle
American football player (1946–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Leonard Battle (July 9, 1946 – March 6, 2025) was an American professional football player who was a safety for the New York Jets in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans, twice earning All-American honors. He played for the Jets in 1969 and 1970. Battle saw most of his action with the Jets as a punt and kickoff return specialist.
PositionSafety
BornJuly 9, 1946
South Gate, California, U.S.
South Gate, California, U.S.
DiedMarch 6, 2025 (aged 78)
Nellysford, Virginia, U.S.
Nellysford, Virginia, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
| No. 40 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Safety | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | July 9, 1946 South Gate, California, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died | March 6, 2025 (aged 78) Nellysford, Virginia, U.S. | ||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Listed weight | 175 lb (79 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Lawndale (CA) | ||||||||
| College | USC | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1969: 12th round, 311th overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Battle appeared in the film C.C. and Company (1970) in the role as Rabbit, which starred Joe Namath, then starting quarterback of the New York Jets. He died in Nellysford, Virginia, on March 6, 2025, at the age of 78.[1]
