Cliff Battles

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Cliff Battles
Date of birth	May 1, 1910
Place of birth	Akron, Ohio
Date of death	April 28, 1981
Position(s)	Halfback
College	West Virginia Wesleyan
Honors	College Football HOF 70 Greatest Redskins
Statistics	DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1932 1933-1936 1937	Boston Braves Boston Redskins Washington Redskins
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1968

Cliff Battles (May 1, 1910 - April 28, 1981) was an American Football Player from West Virginia Wesleyan. He caught George Preston Marshall's eye in a game from Georgetown, which was an Eastern football power from 1925-29. Battles signed with Marshall's Boston Braves in 1932 and played quarterback,leading the league in rushing with 576 yards.

[edit] Battles His Way Into History

On October 30, 1932 Battles becomes the first player to rush for 100 yards in a game with 144 in the Boston Braves' 7-7 tie with The Chicago Bears. On October 8, 1933 Battles, playing for The Boston Redskins, is the first to exceed 200 rushing yard in a game,finishing with 215 against The New York Giants.

[edit] From Washington To Canton

Moving to Washington, in 1937, the Redskins opened their home season against The Giants and then defeated New York to win the Division. In that game, Battles scored two touchdowns,on a 74-yard and a 76-yard interception return. The Redskins then beat The Bears 28-21 in The NFL Championship as Battles scored the first Touchdown of the game, in that 1937 season, Battles led the league with874 yards on 216 carries. The next spring, Battles asked for a raise from $2,750 to $3,250. When marshall wouldn't budge beyond $3,000. Battles retired after only a six-year career. Battles was inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame in 1968.

[edit] External link

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile

Preceded by: First

NFL Career Rushing Yards Leader 1937 - 1941

Succeeded by: Clarke Hinkle