Flint Fleming
Flint E. Fleming is an American former professional football player who played twelve seasons in the Arena Football League with the Detroit Drive/Massachusetts Marauders, Orlando Predators, Tampa Bay Storm, Arizona Rattlers, Milwaukee Mustangs, Buffalo Destroyers, and Florida Bobcats. He lined up at offensive line, defensive line, fullback, linebacker, and tight end during his AFL career. He played college football at North Dakota State University and won three NCAA Division II national championships. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League as an undrafted free agent in 1988 but did not play for them. After a one-year stint in the Canadian Football League, Fleming played in the AFL from 1990 to 2001. He played in six ArenaBowls, winning three, and was named to the AFL's all-time ArenaBowl Team in 1999. In 2001, he was named to the AFL 15th Anniversary Team. After retiring as a player, Fleming was a coach in the AFL and af2 from 2002 to 2006. He temporarily came out of retirement in 2004 to play for the Quad City Steamwheelers of the af2.
Early life and college
Flint E. Fleming was born on March 17, 1965, in Madison, Wisconsin. He played high school football at Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart in Madison, and earned all-city honors as a senior in 1982. He was also a letterman in basketball in high school.Fleming was a defensive tackle for the North Dakota State Bison of North Dakota State University from 1983 to 1987. He redshirted as a freshman in 1983 after suffering a knee injury. He was then a four-year starter from 1984 to 1987. He weighed in 1985 and in 1986. After the Bison's 1986 quarterfinal playoff game, Fleming was suspended by the NCAA for using anabolic steroids and missed the rest of the postseason as a result. In 2003, Fleming claimed that in 1986 he had received calls from Nightline and Late Night with David Letterman in regards to the steroid suspension. Fleming also spent some time at linebacker and nose guard his senior year in 1987. The Bison won the NCAA Division II national championship in 1983, 1985, and 1986. Fleming totaled 209 tackles, 18.5 sacks, ten forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and 26 pass breakups during his college career. He graduated from North Dakota State with a double major in business administration and economics.
Professional career
NFL and CFL
Fleming signed with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League on April 28, 1988, after going unselected in the 1988 NFL draft. He suffered a neck injury and, on July 28, 1988, he voluntarily left the team. He was the eighth Falcons player to voluntarily leave the team that year.Fleming was signed to the practice roster of the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League on July 27, 1989. He was later promoted to the active roster and played in six games during the 1989 season, posting 16 tackles and three sacks. He was listed as a defensive end with the Stampeders. On April 18, 1990, Fleming signed with the BC Lions of the CFL. However, he was later released before playing for them.
Arena Football League
Detroit Drive/Massachusetts Marauders
Fleming played in all eight games for the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League during the 1990 AFL season, totaling 13 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, two sacks, four blocked kicks, one interception, two pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries while also catching two passes for 34 yards and a touchdown. Fleming was an offensive lineman/defensive lineman during his time in the AFL as the league played under ironman rules. He also lined up at fullback, linebacker, and tight end from time to time during his AFL career. On August 11, 1990, the Drive won ArenaBowl IV against the Dallas Texans.On February 20, 1991, Fleming was selected by the Birmingham Fire of the World League of American Football in the eighth round of the defensive line portion of the 1991 WLAF draft. He was cut by the Fire on March 6, 1991. Fleming appeared in all ten games for the Drive during the 1991 season, accumulating 27 solo tackles, ten assisted tackles, five sacks, two blocked kicks, one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, and two pass breakups, earning second-team All-Arena honors as an offensive lineman/defensive lineman. At one point during the 1991 season, Fleming was also listed as the team's emergency quarterback, with Fleming stating, "I don't know if they were serious, and thank goodness, I never had to find out." The Drive advanced to ArenaBowl V on August 17, 1991, where they lost to the Tampa Bay Storm.
Fleming played in all ten games for the second consecutive season in 1992, recording 26 solo tackles, nine assisted tackles, six sacks, one blocked kick, and one pass breakup. On August 22, 1992, the Drive won ArenaBowl VI against the Orlando Predators and Fleming was named the Ironman of the Game after posting two solo tackles, one assisted tackle, two sacks, one blocked kick, and one rushing touchdown. After the victory in ArenaBowl VI, The Ann Arbor News reported that Fleming had gone missing with the ArenaBowl trophy.
Fleming appeared in nine of the Drive's 12 games during the 1993 season, totaling ten solo tackles, six assisted tackles, one sack, and one pass breakup while also rushing four times for seven yards and two touchdowns. Fleming and the Drive advanced to the ArenaBowl for the fourth straight season, losing to the Storm on August 21, 1993, in ArenaBowl VII. Fleming was also named to the AFL All-Star Game in 1993.
The Drive became the Massachusetts Marauders in 1994. Fleming played in all 12 games for the Marauders during the 1994 season, accumulating 18 solo tackles, six assisted tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups, and seven receptions for 35 yards. Massachusetts finished the 1994 season with an 8–4 record and lost in the semifinals to the Predators by a score of 51–42.
Orlando Predators
On September 27, 1994, Fleming, Danny Lockett, and the rights to Amod Field were traded to the Orlando Predators for Jackie Walker, Eric Drakes, and Billy Owens. Predators head coach Perry Moss was Fleming's head coach with the Drive in 1990 and remembered Fleming as a "good player, always dependable". Fleming appeared in eight games for the Predators in 1995, recording 13 solo tackles, three assisted tackles, two sacks, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and 13 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown. He missed the final three weeks of the regular season due to cracked ribs and back spasms but returned in time for the playoffs. After the Predators' victory in the first round of the playoffs, Fleming jokingly stated that his "contract is supposed to guarantee that I play in every ArenaBowl." On September 1, 1995, the Predators lost to the Storm in ArenaBowl IX; Fleming's fifth ArenaBowl appearance through his first six seasons in the league.Fleming played in four games during the 1996 season, totaling nine solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and one fumble recovery. He missed time that year after damaging his MCL and ankle in the same game. He was released by the Predators in 1997.