Jackie Battle
Encyclopedia
Jackie Battle is an American football
running back
for the Kansas City Chiefs
of the National Football League
. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys
in 2007. He played college football
at Houston
.
, where he tallied 1,524 rushing yards and 20 total TDs. While at Humble he was twice selected 1st team All-District and was ranked by Rivals.com
as the 38th best high school running back in America.
, redshirted as a true freshman in 2002.
Battle played in 11 games (no starts) as a redshirt freshman in 2003. He rushed 102 times for 560 yards with a team-leading nine TDs and caught three passes for 27 yards.
Battle appeared in five games (one start) as a sophomore in 2004, carrying the ball 49 times for 209 yards with two TDs.
Battle played in 12 games (three starts), totaling 106 carries for 408 yards with five TDs as a junior in 2005.
Battle played in 13 games (seven starts) as a senior in 2006. That year, he compiled 184 carries for 943 yards with 15 TDs and two catches for 13 yards. His 15 rushing TDs were the highest single-season total in school history.
Battle tallied 19 carries for 124 yards with three TDs vs. Hawaii in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
to earn MVP honors.
Battle was selected to play fullback
for the West in the 2007 East-West Shrine Game
.
Battle finished his collegiate career with 441 carries for 2,120 yards (4.8 avg.) and a school record 31 rushing touchdowns. He also had six receptions for 45 yards.
immediately afterwards. During the preseason, quarterback Brad Johnson
fell on his ankle, causing a high ankle sprain. This injury cost him a spot on the final roster. He was later picked up by the Chiefs under a similar contract.
in his first NFL carry
in a Chiefs loss to the Detroit Lions
. A week later, on December 30, 2007, Battle set a career-high of 44 rushing yards on 13 carries in an OT
loss to the New York Jets. As a rookie, Battle finished with 47 yards on 14 carries.
Battle was released by the Chiefs during the final roster cuts in 2008. Battle was then signed to the practice squad. Battle was made active again on November 1, 2008 to back-up Kolby Smith
, who was replacing the suspended Larry Johnson. He was cut and re-signed later that month. His only statistics of 2008 were 2 special teams tackles and a -2 yard reception on a screen pass against the Denver Broncos.
In a game against the Dallas Cowboys during week 5 of the 2009 NFL season
, Battle suffered a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder while trying to bust a wedge during kick coverage. He underwent surgery and was put on injured reserve
, ending his season. Ironically, Larry Johnson, who was at the time the only back ahead of Battle on the depth chart, left the team a mere three weeks later. Battle re-signed to a 1-year contract the following off-season.
In the 2010 season
, Battle came in behind a lot of depth. Jamaal Charles
had had a breakout performance to end the 2009 season, and the Chiefs had also recently signed veteran Thomas Jones from the New York Jets
, drafted rookie Dexter McCluster
from Ole Miss
. Battle dominated in the preseason, leading the Chiefs in rushing yards with 180 yards on 35 carries. However, he saw little action to start the regular season. Battle saw his first carries late in the fourth quarter of a week 3 game against the San Francisco 49ers
. Later, Battle scored his second career TD in the 4th quarter of a 42-20 week 7 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars
. The next week vs. the Buffalo Bills, Battle converted a key 3rd down run during a 13-10 overtime win.
In game 2 of the 2011 season
, starter Jamaal Charles went-down with an ACL injury for the year, giving Battle more carries. He got two carries and a critical first-down late in the Chiefs' week 4 22-17 comeback win over the Minnesota Vikings, their first win of the season. He had a career day the next week, rushing for 119 yards on 19 carries, including a career-long 24-yard carry in a 28-24 comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts
. The Colts jumped to a 17-0 lead, but the Chiefs' renewed rushing attack controlled the ball for a full 20:15 in the 2nd half, preventing the Colts from scoring in the final 30:09.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
for the Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in 2007. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Houston
Houston Cougars football
The Houston Cougars football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents the University of Houston. The team is commonly referred to as "Houston" or "UH" . The UH football program is currently a member of the Conference USA intercollegiate athletic conference, and is coached by...
.
Early years
Battle started his football career as a youth playing football in the Humble Area Football League HAFL. Battle also attended Humble High SchoolHumble High School
Humble High School is a secondary school located in the Humble Independent School District in Humble, Texas, United States.Humble High School , which serves grades 9 through 12, serves the city of Humble, the Moonshine Hill area of Houston, and unincorporated communities north of Beltway 8...
, where he tallied 1,524 rushing yards and 20 total TDs. While at Humble he was twice selected 1st team All-District and was ranked by Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
as the 38th best high school running back in America.
Collegiate career
Battle, while majoring in Sports administration at HoustonHouston Cougars football
The Houston Cougars football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents the University of Houston. The team is commonly referred to as "Houston" or "UH" . The UH football program is currently a member of the Conference USA intercollegiate athletic conference, and is coached by...
, redshirted as a true freshman in 2002.
Battle played in 11 games (no starts) as a redshirt freshman in 2003. He rushed 102 times for 560 yards with a team-leading nine TDs and caught three passes for 27 yards.
Battle appeared in five games (one start) as a sophomore in 2004, carrying the ball 49 times for 209 yards with two TDs.
Battle played in 12 games (three starts), totaling 106 carries for 408 yards with five TDs as a junior in 2005.
Battle played in 13 games (seven starts) as a senior in 2006. That year, he compiled 184 carries for 943 yards with 15 TDs and two catches for 13 yards. His 15 rushing TDs were the highest single-season total in school history.
Battle tallied 19 carries for 124 yards with three TDs vs. Hawaii in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl
Hawaii Bowl
The Hawaii Bowl is a post-season National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Bowl Subdivision college football bowl game that has been played annually at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii since 2002. Typically played on either Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, the game matches teams from either...
to earn MVP honors.
Battle was selected to play fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
for the West in the 2007 East-West Shrine Game
East-West Shrine Game
The East–West Shrine Game is an annual post-season college football all-star game played each January since 1925. The game is sponsored by the fraternal group Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the net proceeds are earmarked to some of the Shrine's charitable works, most notably the Shriners...
.
Battle finished his collegiate career with 441 carries for 2,120 yards (4.8 avg.) and a school record 31 rushing touchdowns. He also had six receptions for 45 yards.
Professional career
Battle ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the University of Houston Pro Day, and recorded a 41 inch vertical jump. This was not enough to get him drafted, however, and he signed with the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
immediately afterwards. During the preseason, quarterback Brad Johnson
Brad Johnson (American football)
James Bradley Johnson is a former National Football League Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the ninth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Brad went to Charles D...
fell on his ankle, causing a high ankle sprain. This injury cost him a spot on the final roster. He was later picked up by the Chiefs under a similar contract.
Kansas City Chiefs
On December 23, 2007, Battle scored a touchdownTouchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
in his first NFL carry
Carry (American football)
In American football, a carry is a statistical term equivalent to a single rushing play. The term is typically used in reference to "yards per carry," meaning yards per attempt rushing the ball. Any offensive player who performs a carry is known as a ballcarrier, regardless of position....
in a Chiefs loss to the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
. A week later, on December 30, 2007, Battle set a career-high of 44 rushing yards on 13 carries in an OT
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
loss to the New York Jets. As a rookie, Battle finished with 47 yards on 14 carries.
Battle was released by the Chiefs during the final roster cuts in 2008. Battle was then signed to the practice squad. Battle was made active again on November 1, 2008 to back-up Kolby Smith
Kolby Smith
-Kansas City Chiefs:His first career NFL start was on November 25, 2007 due to injuries to Larry Johnson and the retirement of Priest Holmes. He recorded his first career touchdown on that date against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City....
, who was replacing the suspended Larry Johnson. He was cut and re-signed later that month. His only statistics of 2008 were 2 special teams tackles and a -2 yard reception on a screen pass against the Denver Broncos.
In a game against the Dallas Cowboys during week 5 of the 2009 NFL season
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
, Battle suffered a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder while trying to bust a wedge during kick coverage. He underwent surgery and was put on injured reserve
Injured reserve
The injured reserve list is a list of reserved players who are injured and unable to play for a period of time, used most prominently in the National Hockey League and National Football League . It is used because these leagues have a maximum number of players on the team roster, so placing a...
, ending his season. Ironically, Larry Johnson, who was at the time the only back ahead of Battle on the depth chart, left the team a mere three weeks later. Battle re-signed to a 1-year contract the following off-season.
In the 2010 season
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
, Battle came in behind a lot of depth. Jamaal Charles
Jamaal Charles
Jamaal RaShaad Jones Charles is an American football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
had had a breakout performance to end the 2009 season, and the Chiefs had also recently signed veteran Thomas Jones from the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, drafted rookie Dexter McCluster
Dexter McCluster
Dexter Marquise McCluster is an American football wide receiver and running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, formerly of the Ole Miss Rebels. He was considered one of the top athlete prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft...
from Ole Miss
Ole Miss Rebels football
The football history of the University of Mississippi , includes the formation of the first football team in the state and is 26th on the list of college football's all-time winning programs...
. Battle dominated in the preseason, leading the Chiefs in rushing yards with 180 yards on 35 carries. However, he saw little action to start the regular season. Battle saw his first carries late in the fourth quarter of a week 3 game against the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. Later, Battle scored his second career TD in the 4th quarter of a 42-20 week 7 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. The next week vs. the Buffalo Bills, Battle converted a key 3rd down run during a 13-10 overtime win.
In game 2 of the 2011 season
2011 NFL season
The 2011 NFL season, the 92nd regular season of the National Football League, began on Thursday, September 8, 2011 with the Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers defeating the New Orleans Saints 42–34 at Lambeau Field and will end with Super Bowl XLVI, the league's championship game, on...
, starter Jamaal Charles went-down with an ACL injury for the year, giving Battle more carries. He got two carries and a critical first-down late in the Chiefs' week 4 22-17 comeback win over the Minnesota Vikings, their first win of the season. He had a career day the next week, rushing for 119 yards on 19 carries, including a career-long 24-yard carry in a 28-24 comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
. The Colts jumped to a 17-0 lead, but the Chiefs' renewed rushing attack controlled the ball for a full 20:15 in the 2nd half, preventing the Colts from scoring in the final 30:09.