Charlie Batch
Charlie Batch (born Charles D'Donte Batch; December 5, 1974) is a former American football quarterback who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons from 1998 to 2012, amassing 11,085 passing yards, 61 touchdowns, and 52 interceptions while starting 55 games across two teams.[1] Batch grew up in Homestead, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh, and attended Eastern Michigan University, where he set numerous school records for passing yards and touchdowns before being selected in the second round (60th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.[1][2] In his four seasons with the Lions (1998–2001), he appeared in 48 games, starting 46, and threw for 7,621 yards with 37 touchdowns and 34 interceptions, serving as the team's primary starter during a period of rebuilding.[1] After signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002 but playing no games due to injury, Batch remained with his hometown team from 2003 onward as a reliable backup to Ben Roethlisberger, appearing in 39 games (starting 9) and posting an 85.1 passer rating in limited action, including his final start in a 2012 loss to the Cleveland Browns where he threw for 199 yards.[1][3] During his tenure with the Steelers, Batch contributed to two Super Bowl victories as a member of the roster—Super Bowl XL following the 2005 season and Super Bowl XLIII following the 2008 season—though he did not play in either game, earning rings as part of the championship teams.[3] He retired after the 2012 season at age 37, reflecting on the highs of those titles, particularly Super Bowl XL held in his former home stadium in Detroit, and the disappointment of the Steelers' loss in Super Bowl XLV to the Green Bay Packers.[3] Following retirement, Batch founded the Best of the Batch Foundation in 1999—initially in Detroit and later expanded to Pittsburgh—to honor his younger sister, Danyl Settles, who was fatally shot in a 1996 gang-related incident in Homestead, providing educational programs, computer literacy training, summer basketball leagues, literacy initiatives, and holiday toy drives that serve over 3,300 youth annually across six Pittsburgh-area counties with 12 programs and more than 200 volunteers.[4][3] For his community service, he received the NFL Players Association's Byron "Whizzer" White Humanitarian Award in 2013, which included a $100,000 donation to his foundation, and continues to work as a motivational speaker, Steelers broadcaster, and advocate for youth development.[4][3]Early life and education
Family background and upbringing
Charles D'Donte Batch was born on December 5, 1974, in Homestead, Pennsylvania.[1] Batch grew up in a single-parent household in the working-class neighborhood of Homestead, near Pittsburgh, raised by his mother, Lynn Settles, a former school teacher who served as both mother and father figure.[5][6] He was the eldest of three siblings, including his younger sister Danyl Lynn Settles and brother Vernon Settles, in a family that emphasized discipline, hard work, and the value of education amid modest means.[6][7] Settles instilled these principles through her role as an educator, fostering a home environment where academic achievement was prioritized alongside personal responsibility, shaping Batch's early sense of determination and self-reliance.[8][7] During his formative years in Homestead, Batch balanced community-oriented activities and academics with an emerging interest in sports, though football initially sparked his passion around age six.[9] His mother was initially cautious about him pursuing the sport due to its physical demands, reflecting the protective challenges of raising children alone in a blue-collar community.[9] These early experiences, including the stability provided by his mother's guidance despite economic constraints, motivated Batch's drive toward structured goals, laying the groundwork for his later athletic pursuits without formal organization at that stage.[10][7]High school career
Batch attended Steel Valley High School in Munhall, Pennsylvania, where he emerged as a standout quarterback and two-sport athlete in football and basketball.[11] As a two-year starter from 1990 to 1991, he showcased exceptional arm strength and leadership, earning All-State honors for his performance on the gridiron.[11] During his senior year in 1991, Batch led the Steel Valley Ironmen to a No. 1 ranking in Western Pennsylvania and advanced to the WPIAL Class AA semifinals, demonstrating his ability to elevate the team's offensive output through precise passing and strategic decision-making.[12] His contributions were pivotal in guiding the squad deep into the playoffs, highlighting his poise under pressure and command of the offense.[13] Batch's high school success drew interest from multiple college programs, though he initially hoped to play for the University of Pittsburgh due to his local roots. However, the Panthers' lukewarm recruitment efforts prompted him to commit to Eastern Michigan University, where he saw an opportunity for immediate playing time and development as a Division I quarterback.[14] This in-state decision for the Michigan-based program allowed him to stay close to home while pursuing a scholarship that aligned with his academic and athletic goals.[11]College career at Eastern Michigan
Batch enrolled at Eastern Michigan University in 1993, redshirting his freshman season to preserve a year of eligibility before emerging as the starting quarterback the following year.[15] He majored in criminal justice, earning his bachelor's degree in 1997 while balancing academics with his athletic commitments.[16] Over his four seasons of varsity play from 1994 to 1997, Batch rewrote much of the program's passing records, amassing 7,592 career passing yards and 53 touchdown passes—figures that ranked him among the Mid-American Conference (MAC) all-time leaders at 28th and 29th, respectively.[16] His total offense reached 7,715 yards, establishing a school benchmark that underscored his dual-threat capability as a pocket passer with mobility.[16] As a sophomore in 1994 and junior in 1995, Batch solidified his role as the Eagles' offensive leader, guiding the team to a 6-5 record in the latter year and earning first-team All-MAC honors.[16] That season, he topped the conference in passing efficiency at 129.73, while accumulating 3,229 yards of total offense—a single-season school record at the time.[16] His progress was interrupted in 1996 by a fractured ankle sustained early in the campaign against Wisconsin, limiting him to just a few games and prompting a medical hardship waiver that granted an extra year of eligibility.[14] Returning for a fifth year in 1997, Batch captained the offense with renewed vigor, leading the MAC in total offense at 308.2 yards per game and setting another school single-season mark with 3,390 total yards.[16] He was recognized as Eastern Michigan's Most Valuable Player for his senior campaign, despite the team's 4-7 finish, and his consistent performance drew national attention from NFL scouts.[2] Following the season, Batch declared for the 1998 NFL Draft, forgoing any potential additional eligibility to pursue a professional career.[1]Professional football career
Detroit Lions tenure
Charlie Batch was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round (60th overall) of the 1998 NFL Draft, following a standout college career at Eastern Michigan University.[1] As a rookie, Batch transitioned quickly into a starting role, taking over midway through the season after incumbent Scott Mitchell struggled. He appeared in 12 games, starting 10, and completed 173 of 303 passes for 2,178 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, earning an 83.5 passer rating.[17] His debut highlighted his potential, including a 149.6 passer rating in a Week 6 victory over the Green Bay Packers, but a compression fracture in his lower back sidelined him for the final two games, contributing to the Lions' 5-11 finish.[18][19] In 1999, Batch solidified his position as the Lions' primary starter, leading the team to an 8-8 record and a wild-card playoff berth—their first postseason appearance since 1995. He started 10 of 11 games, passing for 1,957 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions with a 78.8 rating, while adding 87 rushing yards on 28 carries.[20] However, a hairline fracture in his right thumb, initially injured in Week 8 against the St. Louis Rams and re-aggravated in the regular-season finale against Minnesota, forced him to miss the wild-card playoff game against the Washington Redskins, where backup Gus Frerotte started in a 27-13 loss.[21][22] Batch's 2000 season marked his most extensive playing time, starting all 15 games despite an offseason displaced fracture in his right knee that required surgery and sidelined him for about three months of training camp. He threw for 2,489 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions, posting a 67.3 rating as the Lions finished 9-7 but missed the playoffs on tiebreakers.[23][17] The lingering effects of the knee injury persisted into 2001, where he started the first three games under new head coach Marty Mornhinweg, completing 30 of 59 passes for 392 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions before a pulled groin and other ailments limited him further; he was replaced mid-season by Ty Detmer as the Lions ended 2-14.[24] On June 3, 2002, the Lions released Batch to free up approximately $2.5 million in salary cap space, ending his four-year tenure in Detroit after 47 starts and amid the team's rebuilding efforts.[25]Pittsburgh Steelers tenure
Charlie Batch joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in June 2002, signing a one-year contract as a free agent after being released by the Detroit Lions.[26] As a Homestead, Pennsylvania native, he provided experienced depth at quarterback behind starter Kordell Stewart and backup Tommy Maddox, though he did not appear in any games that season. Batch re-signed with the team multiple times thereafter, including a one-year deal in 2009, a two-year extension in 2010, and another one-year contract in 2012, solidifying his role through the 2012 season.[27][28] Throughout his Steelers tenure, Batch served primarily as a reliable backup, first to Maddox and later to Ben Roethlisberger following the latter's emergence as starter in 2004. He saw action in relief appearances across multiple seasons but earned notable starts due to injuries or circumstances. In 2005, with Roethlisberger sidelined by a knee injury, Batch started two games, going 2-0 and completing 23 of 36 passes for 246 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.[1] In 2010, amid Roethlisberger's four-game suspension for a personal conduct violation, Batch started the first three games, posting a 2-1 record while throwing for 616 yards and four touchdowns.[1] Later, in 2012, injuries to Roethlisberger and Byron Leftwich led to two starts for the 37-year-old Batch, including a 23-20 victory over the Baltimore Ravens where he threw for 276 yards and a touchdown.[29] Batch contributed to two Super Bowl-winning teams during his time in Pittsburgh, appearing on the roster for Super Bowl XL after the 2005 season and Super Bowl XLIII following the 2008 campaign, though his playing time was limited in both postseason runs.[30] Known for his leadership, he mentored younger quarterbacks, including Roethlisberger, emphasizing preparation and team stability during his 11 seasons with the franchise.[14] The Steelers did not re-sign Batch after the 2012 season, particularly following the 2013 NFL Draft selection of quarterback Landry Jones, effectively ending his playing career with the team. Batch transitioned from professional football in 2013 at age 38 without a formal announcement.[31]Career highlights and retirement
Throughout his 15-season NFL career, Charlie Batch distinguished himself as a resilient backup quarterback, appearing in 81 games primarily with the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers, where he provided stability during injuries to starting quarterbacks.[1] His longevity in the league, spanning from 1998 to 2012, underscored his adaptability and preparation, often stepping in to deliver crucial performances without the benefit of extensive starting experience in his later years. Batch's role as a reliable reserve contributed to the Steelers' success, including earning two Super Bowl rings as part of the championship teams in Super Bowl XL (2005 season) and Super Bowl XLIII (2008 season).[1] One of Batch's most memorable milestones came in the 2012 season at age 37, when he filled in for an injured Ben Roethlisberger and engineered a dramatic 23-20 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens on December 2. Trailing 20-10 in the fourth quarter, Batch orchestrated a 15-play, 80-yard scoring drive capped by a field goal with seconds remaining, showcasing his poise under pressure in a pivotal divisional matchup.[32] His prior start that season had been a loss to the Cleveland Browns, but the victory over the Ravens gave him a 1-1 record in two starts, helping to keep Pittsburgh's playoff hopes alive.[33] These efforts highlighted his career-long resilience.[34] Batch received no Pro Bowl selections but was honored for his overall contributions and exemplary career with the George Blanda Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 NFL Players Academy Awards, recognizing his 15 years of service and leadership as a veteran backup.[35] His impact extended beyond the field through proactive transition planning; as a longtime NFL Players Association representative, he advocated for player welfare during his playing days, laying the groundwork for post-career initiatives. Following the 2012 season, Batch retired from professional football without a formal announcement, opting instead to join the Pittsburgh Steelers' broadcasting team as a pre-game studio analyst for KDKA-TV in 2013.[4] Reflecting on his legacy, Batch has emphasized the significance of his two Super Bowl championships as defining achievements, symbolizing team success and personal perseverance in a career marked by more bench time than spotlight moments. Immediately after retiring, he assumed the role of Senior Captain for The Trust, an NFLPA program launched in November 2013 to assist former players with life transitions, drawing on his own experiences to support retirees in health, education, and career development.[36]NFL playing statistics
Regular season statistics
Charlie Batch played in the NFL from 1998 to 2012, primarily as a backup quarterback, appearing in 81 regular season games with 55 starts across his tenure with the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers.[1] His career passing statistics reflect a journeyman role marked by occasional starting stretches interrupted by injuries, with a completion percentage of 56.6% over 1,604 attempts.[1]Passing Statistics
Batch's passing performance varied by role and health; he showed efficiency in limited backup appearances later in his career, such as a 121.0 quarterback rating in 2006 with five touchdowns and no interceptions in eight games.[1] Injury-impacted seasons, like 2002 and 2004 when he did not play due to abdominal and leg injuries respectively, limited his overall volume.[1]| Year | Team | Games | Starts | Completions | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | QB Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | DET | 12 | 12 | 173 | 303 | 2,178 | 11 | 6 | 83.5 |
| 1999 | DET | 11 | 10 | 151 | 270 | 1,957 | 13 | 7 | 84.1 |
| 2000 | DET | 15 | 15 | 221 | 412 | 2,489 | 13 | 15 | 67.3 |
| 2001 | DET | 10 | 9 | 198 | 341 | 2,392 | 12 | 12 | 76.8 |
| 2002 | CLE | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | PIT | 4 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 68.2 |
| 2004 | PIT | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | PIT | 4 | 2 | 23 | 36 | 246 | 1 | 1 | 81.5 |
| 2006 | PIT | 8 | 1 | 31 | 53 | 492 | 5 | 0 | 121.0 |
| 2007 | PIT | 7 | 1 | 17 | 36 | 232 | 2 | 3 | 52.1 |
| 2008 | PIT | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | PIT | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 79.2 |
| 2010 | PIT | 3 | 2 | 29 | 49 | 352 | 3 | 3 | 76.2 |
| 2011 | PIT | 4 | 1 | 15 | 24 | 208 | 0 | 1 | 72.9 |
| 2012 | PIT | 2 | 2 | 45 | 70 | 475 | 1 | 4 | 64.9 |
| Career | — | 81 | 55 | 908 | 1,604 | 11,085 | 61 | 52 | 77.2 |
Rushing and Fumble Statistics
Batch contributed modestly to his teams' rushing attacks, leveraging his mobility early in his career with the Lions, where he averaged over 5 yards per carry in 1998 and 2000.[1] Fumbles were a challenge in his starting years, with 18 lost over his career, often correlating with higher snap counts.[1]| Year | Rushing Attempts | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Fumbles Lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 41 | 229 | 1 | 2 |
| 1999 | 28 | 87 | 2 | 4 |
| 2000 | 44 | 199 | 2 | 6 |
| 2001 | 12 | 45 | 0 | 4 |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005 | 11 | 30 | 1 | 0 |
| 2006 | 13 | 15 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | 12 | -7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 7 | 30 | 0 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 | -2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 172 | 637 | 6 | 18 |
Postseason statistics
Charlie Batch appeared in six postseason games over his NFL career, starting two, primarily serving as a backup quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers during their successful playoff runs. His limited playing time reflected his role as a reliable veteran presence behind starter Ben Roethlisberger, contributing to two Super Bowl championships (XL and XLIII) while seeing action in various rounds, including wild card, divisional, conference championship, and Super Bowl contests.[1] Batch's postseason passing statistics demonstrated solid efficiency under pressure, though with modest volume due to his backup status. In these games, he completed 61.3% of his passes for an average of 7.1 yards per attempt, showcasing his ability to manage games effectively when called upon. His rushing contributions added versatility, including a touchdown in one appearance.[1]Career Postseason Statistics
Passing and Rushing
| Category | GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | TD | Int | Rate | Att (Rush) | Yds (Rush) | Avg (Rush) | TD (Rush) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postseason Totals | 6 | 2 | 68 | 111 | 61.3 | 783 | 7.1 | 4 | 5 | 71.7 | 11 | 41 | 3.7 | 1 |