Mike Battle

For the artist, see Mike Battle (artist).

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.

Mike Battle

No. 40
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1946-07-09)July 9, 1946 South Gate, California, U.S.
Died:	March 6, 2025(2025-03-06) (aged 78) Nellysford, Virginia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lawndale (CA)
College:	USC
NFL draft:	1969: 12th round, 311th pick
Career history
New York Jets (1969–1970)
Career highlights and awards
National champion (1967) First-team All-American (1968) Second-team All-American (1967) 2× First-team All-Pac-8 (1967, 1968) Second-team All-Pac-8 (1966)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 28 Games started: 0 Interceptions: 1 Stats at Pro Football Reference

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]

See also

• List of NCAA major college yearly punt and kickoff return leaders
• List of American Football League players