# Flint Fleming

Flint E. Fleming (born March 17, 1965) is an American former professional football player who played twelve seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Detroit Drive, Massachusetts Marauders, Orlando Predators, Tampa Bay Storm, Arizona Rattlers, Milwaukee Mustangs, Buffalo Destroyers and Florida Bobcats. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League as an undrafted free agent in 1988 after playing college football at North Dakota State University. He also played for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. Fleming was named to the AFL 15th Anniversary Team in 2001.

## Early life and college

Flint E. Fleming was born on March 17, 1965, in Madison, Wisconsin. He was a member of the North Dakota State Bison of North Dakota State University from 1983 to 1987 as a defensive tackle/linebacker. 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 an economics degree.

## Professional career

Fleming signed with the Atlanta Falcons in 1988 but was later released.
He then played in six games for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League in 1989, recording 16 tackles and three sacks. He was listed as a defensive end with the Stampeders.
Fleming played in all eight games for the Detroit Drive of the Arena Football League (AFL) in 1990, 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 played both offense and defense during his time in the AFL as the league played under ironman rules. On August 11, 1990, the Drive won ArenaBowl IV against the Dallas Texans. He 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. 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, and one rushing touchdown. He appeared in nine games during his final season with the Drive in 1993, 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.
Fleming played in all 12 games for the AFL's Massachusetts Marauders in 1994, accumulating 18 solo tackles, six assisted tackles, two sacks, two pass breakups, and seven receptions for 35 yards.
He appeared in eight games for the Orlando 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. On September 1, 1995, the Predators lost to the Storm in ArenaBowl IX. Fleming played in four games during the 1996 season, totaling nine solo tackles, one assisted tackle, and one fumble recovery.
Fleming played in seven games for the Tampa Bay Storm in 1997, posting 13 solo tackles, three assisted tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two pass breakups while also catching three passes for 32 yards and one touchdown.
In June 1997, he was traded to the Arizona Rattlers for lineman Jim Hoffman. Fleming played in four games for the Rattlers during the 1997 season, registering seven solo tackles, five assisted tackles, 0.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. On August 25, 1997, the Rattlers won ArenaBowl XI against the Iowa Barnstormers. He appeared in 11 games for the Rattlers in 1998, totaling eight solo tackles, two assisted tackles, three receptions for 37 and three touchdowns, and eight rushes for 19 yards and one touchdown.
Fleming played in all 14 games for the Milwaukee Mustangs of the AFL in 1999, recording 13 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and five catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns.
He was signed by the AFL's Buffalo Destroyers on April 30, 2000. He appeared in four games during the 2000 season, accumulating four solo tackles and three assisted tackles.
Fleming signed with the Florida Bobcats of the AFL on May 1, 2001. He played in one game for the Bobcats, recording one solo tackle and two carries for no yards, before being waived on May 8, 2001.
He was assigned to the Quad City Steamwheelers of the af2 on June 2, 2004.
Fleming was named to the all-time All-ArenaBowl Team in 1999 and earned second-team AFL 15th Anniversary Team honors in 2001. He played in six ArenaBowls, winning three.

## Coaching career

Fleming spent time as the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator for the Columbus Wardogs of the af2. He was the defensive coordinator of the Carolina Cobras of the AFL in 2003. He was an assistant coach for the AFL's Indiana Firebirds in 2004.