Tra Battle (born January 5, 1985) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.
_(cropped).jpg) Battle in 2024 | |||||
| No. 35, 36, 27 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Safety | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | January 5, 1985 Forsyth, Georgia, U.S. | ||||
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 177 lb (80 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Mary Persons (GA) | ||||
| College: | Georgia | ||||
| Undrafted: | 2007 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| |||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
| |||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||
| |||||
Early life
editBattle attended Mary Persons High School in Forsyth, Georgia, where he was a three-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and track. He started since his freshman season on the football team, as a quarterback and safety. He led his team to the state championships playoffs in four straight seasons.[1]
As a junior, he was named the team's defensive MVP. As a senior, he was named the team MVP and was named an All-Middle Georgia honoree by The Telegraph. In track, he competed in the state championships in the 110 metres hurdles, 300 metres hurdles, 4 × 100 metres relay and 4 × 400 metres relay.
College career
editArriving at the University of Georgia in 2003, Battle was considered undersized at 165 pounds.[by whom?] He walked-on to the football team and played a role as a reserve defensive back.
In his sophomore season, he started one game against the University of Kentucky when safety Thomas Davis was injured. His best game of the season came against LSU, where Battle recorded four solo tackles, garnered his first career sack, broke up a forward pass and forced a fumble. At the end of the year, he was a recipient of the Iron Man Award for players who do not miss a practice or summer workout during the year. He was awarded the Joe B. Maxwell Family Football Scholarship.
In his junior season of 2005, he became a regular starter in the defensive backfield. In the season opener against Boise State he recorded his first career interception and led the Bulldogs with eight tackles. He finished the season as the team's third leading tackler with 71 total tackles. As a senior, he posted 58 tackles .
His senior season featured a signature game in the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry versus Auburn. Ranked #5, Auburn had hopes of playing for a National Championship after knocking of eventual champion Florida, but Georgia would have none of it due in large part to Battle. His performance tied a Georgia record that day with three interceptions, one of which he returned 30 yards for a touchdown. Battle's pick-six gave the Bulldogs a 17–0 lead, and they would eventually stretch it to 24-0 before Auburn got on the board to make it 24–7. UGA would go on to rout the Tigers 37–15, dashing their title hopes and costing Tommy Tuberville and company a shot at playing for the league crown in Atlanta. Battle would also turn in four total tackles and a pass breakup in the win.[2] His stellar play garnered a Pontiac Game Changing Performance nomination. Also in 2006 he had 154 return yards to place him fourth on the Georgia all-time season return list.[3]
Professional career
editSan Diego Chargers
editBattle was signed as an undrafted free agent by the San Diego Chargers after the 2007 NFL draft on August 30, when he dropped because he was considered an undersized player.[4] He was waived on September 1 and signed to the practice squad the next day.[5] He appeared in one game and had one tackle. On August 30, 2008, he was cut and signed to the practice squad the next day.[6]
Dallas Cowboys
editOn November 26, 2008, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys from the San Diego Chargers practice squad to play on special teams, after Pat Watkins was lost for the year with a neck injury.[7] He appeared in 5 games, making 6 defensive tackles and 5 special teams tackles. In 2009, he was tried at cornerback and was released on May 26.[8]
Detroit Lions
editOn May 27, 2009, Battle was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions.[9] He was released on July 28.
Cleveland Browns
editOn August 24, 2009, he was signed by the Cleveland Browns. He was released on September 5.[10]
New York Sentinels (UFL)
editIn 2009, he played with the New York Sentinels of the United Football League.[11]
Hartford Colonials (UFL)
editIn 2010, he played with the Hartford Colonials of the United Football League.
Virginia Destroyers (UFL)
editIn 2011, he played with the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League.[12]
Personal life
editBattle is a cousin of former defensive end Peppi Zellner who also played for the Dallas Cowboys.
References
edit- ^ "Hartford Colonials Player Bios". September 13, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "25 Days: Tra Battle goes for the hat trick vs. AU". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "The Top Ten All-Time Georgia Football Player Names (video)". June 30, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "Chargers agree with 23 free agents". San Diego Chargers. August 30, 2007.
- ^ "San Diego Chargers Transactions 2007". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "San Diego Chargers Transactions 2008". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "Torn ligament lands Jones on injured reserve; Cowboys sign Battle". November 26, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "Cowboys make (small) roster cuts". May 26, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "Lions Sign Tra Battle". May 27, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "Cleveland Browns Transactions 2009". Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ ""Final" UFL rosters include a Super Bowl MVP". October 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "UFL 2011 Season Rosters Announced". September 12, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2020.