By Darin How does a player from a small West Virginia college become the first man in NFL history to rush for 200 yards in a single game? Cliff “Gyp” Battles was a force of nature whose explosive speed and vision made him a nightmare for defenders in both the collegiate and professional ranks. From his legendary 469-yard performance in a single afternoon at West Virginia Wesleyan to his reign as the NFL’s premier rushing champion for the Redskins, Battles didn’t just run—he dominated. This is the story of the Hall of Famer who Grantland Rice claimed “simply ran over or around all opponents,” only to walk away from the game at the height of his powers.
Football Bio
May 1, 1910 – Akron, Ohio – The strong halfback of the seasons of 1928 to 1931 of West Virginia Wesleyan, Cliff “Gyp” Battles was born.
Battles was masterful in busting off long runs, according to the FootballFoundation.org. During the 1929 season, he broke off a 50-yard run from scrimmage against Salem. In 1930, he returned a kickoff 98 yards and a punt 90 yards against Waynesburg and ran back a punt 90 yards against Georgetown. That same year, he also had runs of 80, 73, 68, and 66 yards.
His 1931 scorecard showed runs of 86, 62, 57, 54, 44, and 22; that season, he crossed the goal line 15 times and booted four extra points. Against Salem in 1931, he made seven touchdowns. The next day’s paper registered that Gyp had 354 yards rushing, 91 on kick returns, and 24 on pass receiving, for a total of 469 for the game. Causing the great gridiron historian of the day, Grantland Rice, to write: “Battles simply ran over or around all opponents.”
The National Football Foundation selected Cliff Battles for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955. After his schooling was complete, Cliff played pro football with the Boston/Washington franchise from 1932-37 and twice led the National Football League in rushing in both 1932 and 1937, per the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Cliff was the first player in NFL history to surpass the 200-yard mark in a single game and earned All-NFL honors five different times from 1932 to 1937. Battles fought his way over the goal line 3 times in a division-clinching victory over the Giants in 1937. He was at the pinnacle of his career, it seemed, and then he abruptly retired after the Redskins froze his salary at $ 3,000 per year. He was a standout player; in fact, Cliff Battles was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
Battles was an assistant coach at Columbia from 1938-43, served in the Marines in World War II, and coached the Brooklyn Dodgers of the All-America Football Conference from 1946-47.
Conclusion
Cliff Battles was a rare athlete whose talent transcended his era. His collegiate records at West Virginia Wesleyan are the stuff of legend, particularly his 469-yard “triple-threat” explosion against Salem. In the NFL, he was the engine that powered the Boston and Washington Redskins, proving that a small-college star could outshine the biggest names in the league. While his professional career ended prematurely due to a $3,000 salary dispute with George Preston Marshall, his impact remains indelible. As a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, “Gyp” Battles stands as one of the most dynamic runners to ever lace up a pair of cleats.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1968.
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1955.
- 2× NFL Rushing Champion: 1932 (Boston Braves) and 1937 (Washington Redskins).
- First Player to Reach 200 Rushing Yards in a Game: Accomplished against the Giants on Oct. 8, 1933.
- NFL 1930s All-Decade Team: Recognized as one of the best of his era.
- 5× All-Pro Selection: (1932, 1933, 1934, 1936, 1937).
- NFL Champion: 1937 (Washington Redskins).
- Collegiate Record Holder: Once held the record for most total yards in a single game (469 yards vs. Salem, 1931).
- Multi-Sport Star: Earned 15 varsity letters in five different sports at West Virginia Wesleyan.
- Academic Honors: Graduated as a Phi Beta Kappa student.