Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LOS ANGELES — Mike Battle, an All-American defensive back and a member of USC's 1967 national championship team who later played two seasons for the New York Jets, has died. The school said Tuesday that he died of natural causes on March 6 in Nellysford, Virginia. In 1967, Battle led a USC defense which allowed only 87 points all season. The Trojans were 26-6-1 and won three conference titles during his three-year career. Battle played in the 1967, 1968 and 1969 Rose Bowl games, all won by the Trojans. He was drafted by the Jets and played for them in 1969 and 1970. Battle appeared with teammate Joe Namath in the 1970 biker movie "C.C. and Company," which co-starred Ann-Margret.
