Steeler Player Profile: Charlie Batch
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- Charlie Batch turns 38-years-old today and is coming off of one his biggest wins as a starting quarterback in his 15-year NFL career, let's learn more about the Pittsburgh native.
Who is Charlie Batch?
The Pittsburgh native is a graduate of Steel Valley High School, where he was a 2 sport athlete. He lettered in basketball twice and football 3 times during his high school career. After his senior year with the Ironmen, Batch made the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Fab 22 and was named 3rd team All-State. Batch accepted a football scholarship to play at Eastern Michigan University.
At EMU, Batch set nearly ever passing record in school history by the time he left. He still currently holds career records for total plays (1,179), total offensive yards (7,715), pass attempts (998), pass completions (579), yards passing (7,592) and touchdown passes (53) at Eastern Michigan. After his college career came to a close, Batch was drafted in the 2nd round of the NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, who's head scout was Kevin Colbert.
Batch played 4 years in Detroit before being cut for salary cap reasons after the 2001 season. During Batch's rookie year in 1998, he was the winning quarterback in the infamous Thanksgiving Coin Toss Game between the Steelers and Lions.
How did he become a Steeler?
The same man that was responsible for drafting Batch to the Lions, Kevin Colbert, signed Batch to a 1-year deal with his hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite not playing a single game for the Steelers during the 2002 season, the team signed Batch to a 2 year contract extension as the teams back-up quarterback.
His career as a Steeler?
Batch has never been considered the #1 Quarterback since leaving Detorit, however he has made a nice career for himself in the black and gold simply by being Mr. Reliable as a back-up. Batch has played more seasons for the Steelers (11) than he has started games for the team (9), but in those 9 games Batch has a record of 6-3 and has never lost more than 1 game in a season. Batch has been a part of 2 Super Bowl Championship teams with the Steelers.
Charlie Batch lead the Steelers to an upset victory over division rival Baltimore last week, throwing for 276 yards which included completing his last 8 passes to help the team score the final 10 points of the game. It was the first home loss for the Ravens in nearly 2 full years. Batch will continue to serve at the teams starting quarterback until Ben Roethlisberger is fulled recovered from his shoulder and rib injuries.
