Jackie Battle

Ewart Haron "Jackie" Battle III (born on October 1, 1983) is an American football running back for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). Jackie was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys in 2007. He played college football at the University of Houston.

Battle has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Early years
Battle was born in Humble, Texas and started his football career as a youth playing football in the Humble Area Football League HAFL. Battle also attended Humble High School, where he tallied 1,524 rushing yards and 20 total TDs. While at Humble he was twice selected 1st team All-District and was ranked by Rivals.com as the 38th best high school running back in America.

College career
Battle, while majoring in Sports administration at Houston, redshirted as a true freshman in 2002.

Battle played in 11 games (no starts) as a redshirt freshman in 2003. He rushed 102 times for 560 yards with a team-leading nine TDs and caught three passes for 27 yards. Battle appeared in five games (one start) as a sophomore in 2004, carrying the ball 49 times for 209 yards with two TDs. Battle played in 12 games (three starts), totaling 106 carries for 408 yards with five TDs as a junior in 2005. Battle played in 13 games (seven starts) as a senior in 2006. That year, he compiled 184 carries for 943 yards with 15 TDs and two catches for 13 yards. His 15 rushing TDs were the highest single-season total in school history.

Battle tallied 19 carries for 124 yards with three TDs vs. Hawaii in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl to earn MVP honors.

Battle was selected to play fullback for the West in the 2007 East-West Shrine Game.

Battle finished his collegiate career with 441 carries for 2,120 yards (4.8 avg.) and a school record 31 rushing touchdowns. He also had six receptions for 45 yards.

Professional career
Battle ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at the University of Houston Pro Day, and recorded a 41 inch vertical jump. This was not enough to get him drafted, however, and he signed with the Dallas Cowboys immediately afterwards. During the preseason, quarterback Brad Johnson fell on his ankle, causing a high ankle sprain. This injury cost him a spot on the final roster. He was later picked up by the Chiefs under a similar contract.

2007
On December 23, 2007, Battle scored a touchdown in his first NFL carry in a Chiefs loss to the Detroit Lions. A week later, on December 30, 2007, Battle set a career-high of 44 rushing yards on 13 carries in an OT loss to the New York Jets. As a rookie, Battle finished with 47 yards on 14 carries.

2008
Battle was released by the Chiefs during the final roster cuts in 2008. Battle was then signed to the practice squad. Battle was made active again on November 1, 2008 to back up Kolby Smith, who was replacing the suspended Larry Johnson. He was cut and re-signed later that month. His only statistics of 2008 were 2 special teams tackles and a -2 yard reception on a screen pass against the Denver Broncos.

2009
In a game against the Dallas Cowboys during week 5 of the 2009 NFL season, Battle suffered a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder while trying to bust a wedge during kick coverage. He underwent surgery and was put on injured reserve, ending his season. Ironically, Larry Johnson, who was at the time the only back ahead of Battle on the depth chart, left the team a mere three weeks later. Battle re-signed to a 1-year contract the following off-season.

2010
In the 2010 season, Battle came in behind a lot of depth. Jamaal Charles had had a breakout performance to end the 2009 season, and the Chiefs had also recently signed veteran Thomas Jones from the New York Jets, drafted rookie Dexter McCluster from Ole Miss. Battle dominated in the preseason, leading the Chiefs in rushing yards with 180 yards on 35 carries. However, he saw little action to start the regular season. Battle saw his first carries late in the fourth quarter of a week 3 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Later, Battle scored his second career TD in the 4th quarter of a 42-20 week 7 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The next week vs. the Buffalo Bills, Battle converted a key 3rd down run during a 13-10 overtime win.

2011
In game 2 of the 2011 season, starter Jamaal Charles went-down with an ACL injury for the year, giving Battle more carries. He got two carries and a critical first-down late in the Chiefs' week 4 22-17 comeback win over the Minnesota Vikings, their first win of the season. He had a career day the next week, rushing for 119 yards on 19 carries, including a career-long 24-yard carry in a 28-24 comeback win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts jumped to a 17-0 lead, but the Chiefs' renewed rushing attack controlled the ball for a full 20:15 in the 2nd half, preventing the Colts from scoring in the final 30:09. In week 16 of the 2011 NFL season, Battle injured his foot during the Chiefs/Raiders game, which eventually would lead to a Chiefs loss and end their playoff hopes. Battle was placed on injured reserve, but would be the Chiefs leading rusher by the end of the season. Battle became a free agent after his contract expired.

San Diego Chargers
Battle signed with the San Diego Chargers to a one-year contract on July 20, 2012. He started in week 4 against Kansas City over Ryan Mathews. Battle was in 27 plays compared to Mathews' 21, and he had 15 carries for 39 yards with a team-high four catches for 42 yards.