12 Facts About Cliff Battles

Clifford Franklin Battles was an American professional football player who was a halfback in the National Football League.

Cliff Battles played high school football at Kenmore High School.

Cliff Battles attended and played college football at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Cliff Battles acquired the nickname "Gip" because of his admiration for Notre Dame back George Gipp, the subject of Knute Rockne's "win one for the Gipper" speech.

Cliff Battles was named to the West Virginia Hall of Fame in 1950 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.

In 1932, Cliff Battles won the NFL's rushing title as a rookie.

Cliff Battles performed well during the 1933 season and on October 8,1933, Battles, playing for the newly named Boston Redskins, became the first player to exceed 200 rushing yards in a game, finishing with 215 yards on 16 rushes and one touchdown against the Giants.

Teammate Art Bachtel in the Akron-Beacon Journalon December 13,1999, on Cliff Battles' running style and ability.

In what would end up being his last regular-season game on December 5,1937, Cliff Battles ran for 165 yards against the Giants at the Polo Grounds.

Cliff Battles chose retirement instead, and left the game as a player at the end of 1937.

Cliff Battles then served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.

Cliff Battles died on April 28,1981, in Clearwater, Florida, and is buried in Parklawn Memorial Park in Rockville, Maryland.