Pittsburgh is buzzing with excitement as former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch is set to be honored this summer for his induction into the National High School Football Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. Batch, who enjoyed an impressive 11 seasons with the Steelers from 2002, was a key player during the team’s Super Bowl victories in XL and XLIII.
Batch’s journey in football began at Steel Valley High School in Homestead, Pennsylvania. During his senior year in 1991, he led his team to a number one ranking and the WPIAL Class AA semifinals. This impressive performance eventually earned him a spot in the WPIAL Hall of Fame in 2019. Reflecting on the news of his upcoming induction, Batch expressed humility and surprise. “I was definitely shocked when I received the news,” Batch shared. “You just never think about that, especially the further removed you are from high school.”
After high school, Batch played at Eastern Michigan University and was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft. After four years, he returned home to join the Steelers, solidifying his love for the game and the community. He recalls the joy of playing in Three Rivers Stadium during his youth, which significantly shaped his passion for football.
Batch is excited to see young athletes now experiencing the same love for the game that he did. “When you’re young, you just want to be around your friends and sports allows you to do that,” he noted. He emphasized the importance of high school football, especially with the success of teams like Steel Valley, and the thrill of competing for WPIAL Championships.
Batch’s enshrinement ceremony is scheduled for June 14 in Canton, Ohio. In other Steelers news, T.J. Watt has been named a finalist for the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, and a slew of players, including Chris Boswell, Cameron Heyward, and T.J. Watt, were recognized on the Pro Football Writers of America All-NFL and All-AFC teams.
As the excitement around Batch’s upcoming induction builds, it highlights not just his personal achievements, but also the enduring legacy of football within the Pittsburgh community.
