Former New York Jets player Mike Battle has died at the age of 78, his former school has announced.
Battle, an All-American defensive back and a member of USC’s 1967 national championship team, died of natural causes on March 6 in Nellysford, Virginia.
He is survived by his wife Laura and children Christian Michael, Hunter, Frank, Michael, Kathleen, Murphy and Annie.
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.
He played in the 1967, 1968 and 1969 Rose Bowl games, all won by the Trojans.
The defensive star was USC’s annual punt return leader in each of his three seasons and still owns the school record for most punts returned in a season.
Former Jets player Mike Battle (No. 40) has died at the age of 78, his ex-school announced
He was the NCAA statistical champion in 1967, when he had 49 returns for 608 yards, a 12.4-yard average.
He also holds the school mark for most punts returned with 99 during his three years.
Battle was chosen in the 12th round of the 1969 NFL Draft by the Jets and played in New York for two seasons from 1969-70.
The California-born man appeared in the 1970 film ‘C.C. and Company,’ a biker film starring his Jets teammate Joe Namath and actor Ann-Margret.