USC Trojans icon and former New York Jets safety Mike Battle has passed away at the age of 78, the school announced.
The USC Trojans announced on their website that Mike Battle passed away from natural causes on March 6 in Nellysford, Virginia. The 6-foot-1 safety played for the Trojans’ football team from 1966 to 68, helping them to a national championship in the 1967 season.
Battle was the New York Jets’ 12th-round pick (311th overall) in 1969, weeks after Joe Namath and company upset the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl 3. Battle played two seasons of pro football as a defensive back and special teams returner, recording one interception, 1,641 kick return yards and 352 punt return yards in 28 games.
Mike Battle attended Lawndale High School in Lawndale (just outside of Los Angeles), before joining the Trojans football program. He earned two First-team All-Pac-8 selections and was a First-team All-American in 1968, his last season of college ball.
Mike Battle is survived by his wife, Laura, and seven children. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Battle’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Mike Battle Played A Significant Role On Trojans’ 1967 National Championship Team
Battle was one of several game-changing stars on the 1967 Trojans squad that cruised to a national championship under legendary head coach John McKay.
The 1967 Trojans were led by future Hall of Fame running back O.J. Simpson, Minnesota Vikings legend and fellow Canton member Ron Yary. But Battle and the Trojans defense were equally important in the national championship triumph, putting the clamps down on opposing offenses by allowing just 7.6 points per game.
USC defeated Indiana 14-3 in the Rose Bowl game, with over 100,000 spectators filling up the stadium, to claim the school’s sixth national championship.
