[3] According to Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Battles "dominated the NCAA Division II ranks" as an offensive lineman for MNSU.
[4] Battles credited offensive line coach Mike Cunningham for treating him like a son and keeping him motivated through four years at MNSU.
[2][3] He told reporters that the position change presented a challenge due to the differences in footwork and technique, but added, "When I get an opportunity, I have to make the most of it.
With the team in Irving, Texas, Battles told a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "I was a Packer fan growing up.
Photographs of the grinning, 6 foot, 3 inch, 315 pound cheesehead were published in multiple newspapers including a featured picture of the day in the United Kingdom's The Daily Telegraph.
"[15] In August 2011, he joined the Packers for their visit to the White House after winning Super Bowl XLV and was prominently featured in photographs as he stood behind President Barack Obama.