Willie Fleming facts for kids
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Fleming in 1960
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| Born: | February 2, 1939 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
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| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | RB |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
| Weight | 183 lb (83 kg) |
| College | Iowa |
| NFL draft | 1961 / Round: 14 / Pick: 196 |
| Drafted by | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1959–1966 | BC Lions |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| CFL All-Star | 1963 |
| CFL West All-Star | 1961, 1962, 1963 |
| Retired #s | BC Lions #15 |
| Career stats | |
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Willie Fleming was born on February 2, 1939. He is a former professional football player from the United States. He played for the Canadian Football League (CFL)'s BC Lions.
Fleming played college football at the University of Iowa. He was part of the Hawkeyes team that won the 1959 Rose Bowl championship. People called him "The Wisp" or "Will 'o the Wisp." This was because he was very hard to catch when he ran with the ball.
Willie Fleming is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He is also in the BC Sports Hall of Fame and the BC Lions Wall of Fame. His number 15 jersey is one of only eight numbers that the Lions have officially retired. This means no other player can wear it.
In 2003, Fleming was chosen for the BC Lions All-Time Dream Team. This was part of the club's 50th anniversary celebration. In 2006, he was voted onto the Honour Roll of the CFL's Top 50 players from the league's modern era.
Willie Fleming's Early Life and College Football
Willie Fleming played halfback at Hamtramck High School in Detroit. In 1956, he earned "All-City honors" for being one of the best players in the city. His coach there was Babe Dimancheff.
In 1957, Fleming started playing college football at the University of Iowa. In 1958, he was named a First Team All-Big Ten player by the Associated Press. This meant he was one of the best players in the Big Ten Conference.
During the 1958 season, Fleming helped the Hawkeyes win the Big Ten championship. They beat the University of Minnesota with a record of 6 wins, 0 losses, and 1 tie. Fleming was the top scorer for his team that year.
In 1959, Fleming and his Hawkeyes team played in the 1959 Rose Bowl. They won against the University of California with a score of 38–12. Fleming scored two rushing touchdowns in the game. He ran for 85 yards on 9 tries.
Willie Fleming's Professional Football Career
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After the 1959 Rose Bowl, Willie Fleming joined the Canadian Football League's BC Lions. This was for the 1959 season. By 1960, he became the first player for the Lions to run for over 1,000 yards in a season. He gained 1,051 yards on 125 carries, averaging 8.4 yards per run.
In 1963, Fleming and his teammate, quarterback Joe Kapp, led the Lions to a great season. They had 12 wins and 4 losses, winning the CFL Western Division championship. The Lions then played against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 1963 Grey Cup championship game.
During the 1963 Grey Cup, Fleming was involved in a famous play. He was hit by a player from the Tiger-Cats, Angelo Mosca, when he was out of bounds. This hit caused Fleming to leave the game and go to the hospital. The Lions lost the game 21-10. Even with this tough ending, Fleming had his best season. He ran for 1,234 yards on 127 carries, averaging an amazing 9.7 yards per run.
The next year, Fleming and the Lions got their chance for revenge. The BC Lions played the Hamilton Tiger-Cats again in the 1964 Grey Cup. This time, the Lions won their first CFL championship with a score of 34–24. Fleming scored a game-changing touchdown with a 68-yard run right past Mosca's position.
Earlier in the 1964 season, Fleming set a CFL record that still stands today. He scored the longest touchdown run from scrimmage, running 109 yards against the Edmonton Eskimos.
Fleming retired from the CFL and the BC Lions after the 1966 season. He was a CFL All-Star in 1963 and a three-time CFL Western Division All-Star. He was also named the most popular BC Lions Player three times.
After not playing in 1967, Fleming tried to make a comeback with the Minnesota Vikings in 1968. However, he was released before the regular season started. Willie Fleming was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1982.
In 2003, he was chosen for the BC Lions All-Time Dream Team as a running back. In November 2006, he was voted onto the Honour Roll of the CFL's top 50 players of the modern era by TSN.
Life After Football
Willie Fleming retired from the CFL in 1967. He now lives in Bedford, Ohio. He stays active by working out three times a week to keep in shape.
