Willie Fleming

Willie Fleming (born February 2, 1939) is an American former professional football player with the Canadian Football League (CFL)'s BC Lions. Fleming played collegiately as a halfback at the University of Iowa, where he was a member of the Hawkeyes' 1959 Rose Bowl championship team. He is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, the BC Sports Hall of Fame, and the BC Lions Wall of Fame. Fleming's number 15 jersey is one of eight numbers retired by the Lions. In 2003, Fleming was voted a member of the BC Lions All-Time Dream Team as part of the club's 50th anniversary celebration. In 2006, Fleming was voted to the Honour Roll of the CFL's Top 50 players of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network TSN.

Fleming earned the nickname "The Wisp" or "Will 'o the Wisp" because of his elusive running style.

Early life and college Fleming played halfback at Hamtramck High School in Detroit, winning All-City honors in 1956. His Head Coach was Babe Dimancheff.

In 1957, Fleming began his college career at the University of Iowa, where he was eventually named an Associated Press First Team All-Big Ten player in 1958. In 1958, Fleming helped the Hawkeyes to a 6–0–1 Big Ten clinching victory over the University of Minnesota, and led the team in scoring.

In 1959, Fleming and the 7–1–1 Hawkeyes defeated the University of California (and Fleming's future BC Lions teammate, quarterback Joe Kapp) 38–12, in the 1959 Rose Bowl. Fleming scored 2 rushing touchdowns in the game, and finished with 85 yards on 9 attempts.

Professional career

Following the 1959 Rose Bowl, Fleming joined the Canadian Football League BC Lions for the season. By , he became the first Lion to eclipse 1,000 yards rushing with 1,051 yards on 125 carries for an 8.4 yard average.

In , Fleming and Kapp led the Lions to a 12–4 record and the CFL Western Division championship. Despite a disappointing end to the season (the Lions lost to the Tiger-Cats, 21–10), Fleming had his finest season as a professional football player, as he rushed for 1,234 yards on 127 carries for an incredible 9.7 yard average.

Fleming retired from the CFL and the BC Lions following the season. Fleming retired as a CFL All-Star in , a three-time CFL Western Division All-Star, and was named the most popular BC Lions Player three times. After sitting out the 1967 season, Fleming attempted a comeback with the Minnesota Vikings in 1968, but was released before the regular season began. Fleming was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1982. In , Fleming was voted a member of the BC Lions All-Time Dream Team, at the running back position, as part of the club's 50 year anniversary celebration. In November, , Fleming was voted to the Honour Roll of the CFL's top 50 players of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network TSN.

Career regular season rushing statistics Year Team GP Rush Yards Y/R Lg TD BC Lions 16 110 774 7.0 52 3 BC Lions 16 125 1051 8.4 98 10 BC Lions 15 96 468 4.9 64 2 BC Lions 16 139 993 7.1 97 7 BC Lions 16 127 1234 9.7 97 5 BC Lions 16 129 750 5.8 109 6 BC Lions 15 93 595 6.4 30 2 BC Lions 16 49 260 5.3 29 3 CFL Totals 868 6125 7.1 109 38

After football Retired from the CFL since , Fleming currently resides in Bedford, Ohio and stays busy working out three times a week, keeping in shape.