After surviving the Second Battle of Fallujah and enduring a long road to recovery, David Battle Jr. found healing and purpose not just in physical therapy or military honors—but on the football field.
“I always say my toughest campaign began the day I came home,” said Battle, who suffered two gunshot wounds and a grenade blast during combat in Iraq in 2004. “I was told I’d never walk again—but after months of dragging my leg forward, falling more times than I can count, I eventually took my first steps. Three years later, I suited up to play junior college football. That was just the beginning.”
Though his body still carries the scars of war, it’s through coaching that Battle found the next mission in his life. Encouraged by his high school coach, John Kueslika, Battle stepped back onto the sidelines—this time not as a player, but as a mentor. “Coaching saved my life,” he said. “It forced me to communicate beyond my own emotions and take responsibility for a team of young men.”
Today, Battle uses football to teach more than plays or strategy. He teaches resilience, discipline and brotherhood—values that were forged in the Marine Corps and tempered through adversity. “Every time a player bounces up after a hard hit, I see a little of my own journey in that,” he said. “You get knocked down, but you don’t stay down. That’s the mindset I try to instill.”
Battle’s dedication to service didn’t end with coaching. He’s also a passionate advocate and supporter of The 1st & Goal Project; a nonprofit committed to helping veterans and their families transition successfully into civilian life.
“I was introduced to The 1st & Goal Project through my friend, fellow veteran and coach Mitch Cox,” he said. “When I got to their golf invitational, I could feel the energy—veterans from every branch, celebrities who genuinely care and volunteers who made us feel like family.”
What makes the foundation stand out, according to Battle, is its all-in approach to helping veterans. “They’re not just offering thanks. They’re offering tools—OSHA certifications, financial services training, mental health support, even furniture for veterans starting over. They pair that with direct connections to employers who understand our background,” he explained. “It’s not charity—it’s empowerment.”
And the annual Celebrity & Veteran Golf Invitational is more than just a fundraiser—it’s a reunion of sorts. “You spend the day shoulder-to-shoulder with people who get you,” Battle said. “It restores the sense of camaraderie we often lose when we leave the service.”
Being featured in U.S. Veterans Magazine, Battle said, is a humbling moment. “It’s a chance to share the message that veterans have more to give—and more to gain—when we stay connected, keep mentoring and never stop showing up.”
Whether on the gridiron or at a charity tee-off, Battle continues to lead with heart, grit and a deep commitment to lifting others—one young athlete, one veteran, one brother at a time.
Read more articles for the Veteran Community here.
