Charlie Batch facts for kids
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Batch in 2021
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | December 5, 1974 Homestead, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 216 lb (98 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Steel Valley (Munhall, Pennsylvania) | ||||||||||
| College: | Eastern Michigan (1993–1997) | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1998 / Round: 2 / Pick: 60 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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Charles "Charlie" D'Donte Batch (born December 5, 1974) is a former American football player. He was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played for 15 seasons, mostly as a backup. He is famous for winning two Super Bowl rings with his hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After his playing career, Charlie Batch became a sports analyst. He works for KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. He talks about Steelers games before they start. He also helps call their preseason games on TV. You can also hear him on the Steeler Post-Game Show on WDVE Radio. He also calls high school football and basketball games for Champs Sports Network.
Contents
Charlie Batch's Journey
College Days
Charlie Batch grew up in Homestead, Pennsylvania. He went to Eastern Michigan University. He was an amazing player there. He set many passing records for the school. He also earned a degree in criminal justice. After college, the Detroit Lions picked him in the second round of the 1998 NFL draft. This was a big deal because he was a local favorite.
Playing in the NFL
Charlie Batch played in the NFL for 15 years. He started his career with the Detroit Lions. Later, he played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Detroit Lions
Charlie Batch was the main starting quarterback for the Detroit Lions from 1998 to 2001. In 1999, he helped the Lions reach the playoffs. He was known for being a strong runner, but he also got injured often.
In 2000, he played his last full season as a starter. An injury in the final game cost the Lions a playoff spot. This led to big changes for the team. Charlie Batch was later released by the Lions. Even so, he passed for over 9,000 yards with the team. This put him high on the Lions' all-time passing list.
Pittsburgh Steelers
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In 2002, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Charlie Batch. He was a backup quarterback. It was a special move because he grew up near Pittsburgh. Even though he didn't play much at first, fans loved him. This was partly because of his charity work in the community.
In 2005, he became the second-string quarterback. He played behind Ben Roethlisberger. When Roethlisberger got hurt, Batch stepped in. He helped the Steelers win two games. He became the first Pittsburgh-area native to start at quarterback for the team since 1969.
Batch was a backup when the Steelers won Super Bowl XL in 2006. This made him a Super Bowl champion! He signed a new contract with the Steelers in 2006. He also visited Ben Roethlisberger in the hospital after a motorcycle accident.
Batch had to start the first game of the 2006 season. Roethlisberger had emergency surgery. Batch played very well, throwing for 209 yards and three touchdowns. He even threw the first touchdown pass of the 2006 season. Later that year, he filled in again when Roethlisberger got a concussion. He threw two more touchdowns, including a 70-yard pass.
In 2008, Batch broke his collarbone during a preseason game. He missed the whole season. He re-signed with the Steelers in 2009. He played in one game when Roethlisberger was injured. Batch himself got a wrist injury that needed surgery.
He signed with the Steelers again in 2010. He led the team to a big win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He threw three touchdown passes in that game. He also helped the Steelers win a tough game against the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. He led the team on a game-winning drive.
In 2013, the Steelers drafted a new quarterback. They announced that Charlie Batch would not be returning. He had played for the Steelers for 11 years. This was one of the longest times a quarterback had stayed with the team.
After Football
Charlie Batch didn't officially say he was retiring from the NFL. But in 2013, he started a new job. He became a studio analyst for KDKA-TV. He talks about the Steelers before their games. He continued this role in 2014.
In 2015, he became the main color commentator for Steelers preseason games. He also became the main studio analyst for their pre-game show.
Helping Others
Charlie Batch is known for his amazing charity work. In 2006, he received the first Jerome Bettis Award. This award is for people who show great kindness and help their community. Batch earned it for his work with the Best of the Batch Foundation. This foundation helps children. He also helped fix up local football fields and basketball courts for kids.
He has also been honored for helping young people in cities. He created the Charlie Batch Urban Pumpkin Patch and Gardens. This project helps fight hunger. It also helps stop gang activity. It gives jobs to young people in the city. They learn about growing food and a green future.
