Kadie Smith
It’s hard to put into words the dynamic style and personality of Willie Fleming and what he means to fans in BC.
A former halfback at the University of Iowa, Fleming came to the Lions for the 1959 season after winning the Rose Bowl with the 
Hawkeyes in January. By 1960, he became the first Leo to record over 1,000 rushing yards with 1,051 on 125 carries, averaging 8.4 yards per carry.
It didn’t take long for Fleming to grab the hearts of the Lions faithful, and he was voted the most popular player three times in his six-year career.
His picture hangs in the halls of the BC Lions offices among other CFL greats and his name is unanimous with determination and Pride. Although the recipient of a controversial, and somewhat infamous, hit from Hamilton Tiger-Cats Angelo Mosca in the 1963 Grey Cup that ended the game for Fleming, fans remember that season not for the hot-button hit, but for Fleming’s career-high 1,234 yards on 127 carries. His impressive 9.7 yards per carry that season is still a CFL record.
Fans remember a feisty Fleming that returned in ’64 and ran the ball back 109 yards for a TD against the Edmonton Eskimos, another 
still-standing CFL record. They remember Fleming’s 68-yard TD past Mosca in the 1964 Grey Cup. TheLions would go on to defeat the Ti-Cats for the franchise’s first-ever Championship.
By the Numbers:
Career average of 7.1 yards per carry- CFL record
Season average of 9.7 yards per carry- CFL Record
Lions leader in career rushing yards with 6,125
Scored a 109-yard rushing TD- the longest rushing play in CFL history
oh…he also holds all FIVE top spots on the Lions for the longest rushing play
Career Accolades:
Member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (82) and the BC Football Hall of Fame (98)
The Lions added him into their Ring of Honour and retired his #15 jersey after his retirement
CFL All-Star selection in 1963
CFL Western Division All-Star selection in 1961, 62, and 63
Named to the Lions’ All-Time Dream Team in 2003 as part of the club’s 50th anniversary celebration
Voted to the Honour Roll of the CFL’s Top 50 Players of the modern era by TSN in 2006