Arnaz Battle

Arnaz Battle is an American former professional football wide receiver who played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He has played for 6 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, and 3 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Player Profile, High School, and College Career

Arnaz Jerome Battle was born on February 22, 1980, in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. The Wide Receiver stands 185 cm tall, and his weight was last listed at 94 kg.

He attended C. E. Byrd High School in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he was a highly decorated Parade All-American dual-threat quarterback, amassing 5,137 total yards and accounting for 77 career touchdowns.

Enrolling at the University of Notre Dame, Battle played quarterback for the Fighting Irish during his first two seasons and earned the starting job in 2000. However, during a highly anticipated matchup against No. 1 Nebraska in the second game of the season. He suffered a broken wrist on the very first play from scrimmage, forcing him to miss the rest of the year.

Professional Career

Battle was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round (197th overall) of the 2003 NFL Draft.

After an initial developmental phase, Battle broke out in 2004 by displaying his multi-dimensional utility, notably returning a punt 71 yards for a touchdown against Arizona. By the 2005 season, he was promoted to San Francisco's starting "Z" receiver position.

Battle enjoyed the most productive stretch of his career from 2006 to 2007, serving as a highly reliable intermediate chain-mover and recording a career-high 50 receptions for 572 yards and five touchdowns during the 2007 campaign.

In March 2010, Battle signed a three-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In Pittsburgh, he transitioned into a vital locker room veteran and a core special teams captain, appearing in 25 games over two seasons. He provided invaluable leadership and perimeter blocking during the Steelers' 2010 AFC Championship run, which culminated in an appearance in Super Bowl XLV.

Off the Field

Off the field, athletic talent runs deep in Battle's family, as he is the son of former NFL tight end Ron Battle, who played for the Los Angeles Rams in the late 1970s.

When he was nine years old, his younger brother Brandon tragically passed away in a drowning accident, an event Battle has permanently memorialized with a portrait tattoo of his brother on his upper left arm.

Career Highlights:

• 2002 – All-Independent First-team Selection (Notre Dame)