LOS ANGELES — Mike Battle, an All-American and a member of USC’s 1967 national championship team, died last Thursday (March 6) in Nellysford, Va. of natural causes. He was 78.
Battle, a three-year letterman (1966-68), helped USC with three conference titles and was 26-6-1 in his Trojan career. He played in three Rose Bowls (1967, 1968 and 1969).
In the 1967 national championship season, Battle led a defense which only allowed 87 points all season. He was also a 1967 All-Conference first teamer.
Battle was named a 1968 All-American defensive back and the Trojans finished the season ranked fourth in the final AP Poll.
Battle was USC’s annual punt return leader in 1966 (18 returns for 176 yards [9.8 avg.]), 1967 (49 returns for 608 yards [12.4 avg.]) and 1968 (32 returns for 230 yards [7.2 avg.]). Battle was the NCAA statistical champion for punt returns in 1967 and currently holds the USC record for most punts returned in a season. His 608 punt return yards are also a USC record. He is currently second on USC’s career punt return list (99 returns for 1,014 yards [10.2 avg.] and 3 TDs), and he holds the USC record for most punts returned with 99 between 1966-68.
Defensively, Battle was USC’s interception leader in 1967 with 5 returned for 87 yards. He is tied for sixth on USC’s career interception list (13 interceptions for 148 yards).
He was drafted in the 12th round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the New York Jets and played for two seasons (1969-70).
He appeared in the 1970 film “C.C. and Company” starring then New York Jets quarterback, Joe Namath and actress Ann-Margret.
Battle is survived by his wife, Laura, and his seven children: Christian Michael, Hunter, Frank, Michael, Kathleen, Murphy and Annie.
Memorial service details are pending.