Charlie Batch

Charley BatchCharlie is a two-time Super Bowl Champion and retired NFL Quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His leadership off the field is legendary. He is a sought-after mentor and advisor on successful career transition. He is passionate about helping athletes discover their purpose and how to successfully transition to life after the game while building a brand beyond the sport. As a professional speaker, media personality and community advocate, Charlie has built his brand and elevated his impact across the country.

Charlie was the 2013 Byron “Whizzer” White Award Recipient, the highest honor given to an NFL Player by the NFLPA for outstanding community service. He is the founder of Best of the Batch Foundation, which he established in 1999 to serve financially challenged communities. Charlie takes a very active, hands-on role in Best of the Batch Foundation. The foundation has several signature programs including Project C.H.U.C.K (Continuously Helping Uplift Community Kids). Project C.H.U.C.K. is a summer basketball league that teaches good sportsmanship, teamwork and preparation; as well as other in-school/after school programs, scholarships, playground and community restoration projects, and motivational speaking. Charlie is committed to the success of all our youth and families, so that they will be the Best of the Batch. Project C.H.U.C.K. Basketball League is going into its 13th year of service.

Over 350 kids participate during the eight-week season. This free program has landed several national and local sponsors including Home Depot, Dicks Sporting Goods, Dunkin Donuts, and Jefferson Hospital. Other programs of The Best of The Batch Foundation include Best of Batch Club, Batchpacks for Kids as well as many other programs and initiatives throughout the year. He regularly visits schools, associations and corporations as a motivational speaker with a powerful message.

Charlie Batch was born in Homestead, a financially challenged steel mill community outside of Pittsburgh. The eldest of Lynn Settles’ three children, Charlie started football with the Steel Valley Midget Association when he was seven. He continued playing at Steel Valley High School, where he lettered in both football and basketball, maintaining the required grades to be eligible to play.

Charlie played football at Eastern Michigan University, setting numerous school and MAC conference records. In 1998, the Detroit Lions drafted Charlie in the second round of the NFL Draft, where he spent the first four seasons of his professional career as the starting quarterback. Charlie returned to his hometown as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2002, and spent eleven seasons with the team, including Super Bowl XL and XLIII championships.

Charlie was confronted with a horrific tragedy while in college. His younger sister, Danyl was shot and killed while walking home from school, innocently caught in an exchange between rival gangs. Charlie channeled his pain from Danyl’s senseless death into his commitment into making a difference in the lives of others. The memory of Charlie’s sister lives through the Best of the Batch Foundation.

As a community advocate, he has garnered several community partnerships including serving as the first professional athlete to promote the Dignity & Respect Sportsman Program with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. This program encourages teams, students, families, and friends to participate in pre-game dignity and respect activities intended to set the tone for game day.

Through Best of the Batch Foundation, Charlie partners with Strong Women, Strong Girls for its annual Jump into Spring program, and with the Dignity & Respect Campaigns. Charlie also serves as a national spokesperson for the Dignity & Respect for Youth Campaign.

He has served in leadership on several boards including:

  • Strong Women Strong Girls National Advisory Board (2013-Present)
  • Western Pennsylvania Humane Society (2012- present)
  • Board of Directors; Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh (2011 – present)
  • Youth Futures Commission Steering Committee (2007 – present)
  • Imani Christian Academy Advisory Council (2013-present)
  • Strong Women Strong Girls Pittsburgh Advisory Council (2011 – 2013)
  • Landmarks Community Capital Corporation (2008 – 2009)

His national and local awards include:

  • 2013 United Way of Allegheny Co. Outstanding Campaign Volunteer of the Year
  • 2013 Washington & Jefferson College Degree of Doctor of Public Service, Honoris Causa
  • 2013 Byron “Whizzer” White Award
  • 2013 NAACP Judge Homer S. Brown Award
  • 2013 Baptist Ministries Conference Award “Hero In The Midst”
  • 2013 Syria Shriners Humanitarian of the Year
  • 2012 Steel Valley Hall of Fame
  • 2012 D&R Champion (Dignity and Respect)
  • 2011 NFLPA Pulse Award
  • 2011 Whirl Magazine Couples Who Give Back
  • 2010 Eastern Michigan University Hall of Fame
  • 2010 NFLPA Executive Committee Member
  • 2009 Pump 40 Under 40 Award
  • 2008 Three Rivers Youth the Nellie Leadership Award
  • 2007 Pittsburgh Pirates Community Service Award
  • 2007 Boys and Girls Club Outstanding Service Award
  • 2007 Duquesne Light Leadership Award
  • 2007 Mon Valley Initiative Volunteer Award
  • 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers Walton Payton Man of the Year
  • 2006 Bus Stops Here Foundation Humanitarian and Community Award
  • 2005 EMU Outstanding Alumnus Award

Charlie graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1997 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, but his commitment to education continues. Through the NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Program, Charlie has completed programs at the Wharton Business School in 2009, Harvard Business School in 2010, Kellogg School of Management in 2012, Stanford Business School, Notre Dame and Bowling Green State in 2013.

Charlie is the soul mate to Latasha Wilson-Batch and together they have 5 four-legged children; Roxie, Bunz, Aysia, Snoop & Nate. They reside in Wexford, PA.