AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Q&A: Orlando WR/DB Cory Fleming

Published on May 27, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK – Orlando WR/LB CORY FLEMING and the AFLWA's No. 6-ranked Predators (9-6) continue their Drive to ArenaBowl XVIII this Sunday on NBC at 4 p.m. ET when they face the No. 8 Los Angeles Avengers (9-6) at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

The Predators can earn their 12th straight AFL playoff berth with a win on Sunday. A loss by New York, Austin, or Tampa Bay would also guarantee a playoff appearance for the Predators.

Fleming, in his eighth AFL season, looks to utilize his playoff experience, including two ArenaBowl appearances (Nashville 2000, 2001) and a Super Bowl ring with the Dallas Cowboys (SB XXX), to lead rookie quarterback JOE HAMILTON and the rest of the team to this year's postseason.

Fleming, 33, is having a career year and is a top contender for the U.S. Army Ironman of the Year award, ranking No. 3 in the AFL in receptions (118), No. 4 in receiving yards (1,462) and No. 5 in receiving touchdowns (31). Fleming broke into the AFL in 1997 with the Nashville Kats, making his mark early (89 receptions, 1,104 yards, 32 touchdowns) and earning the Rookie of the Year award that season. He is a three-time All-Arena selection and has twice been named to the All-Ironman team.

The Tennessee native was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the third round of the 1994 NFL draft (87th overall). After being waived by the 49ers, Fleming played for the Cowboys during the 1994 and 1995 seasons. He appeared in four bowl games as a member of the University of Tennessee Volunteers and led them in receiving during his junior year.

Q: When was the first time you ever played football?

A: I was five years old. I played Pee Wee football in Nashville, Tenn. I' ve always played backyard football. I remember my first time playing organized football, I felt like I was ready. I always played with guys that were bigger than me and they taught me how to play football and how to take hits.

Q: Do you play any other sports?

A: I've always played basketball, football, and I ran track in high school. I mainly played basketball and football, but I did play some baseball too.

Q: How does the AFL compare/differ from 100-yard football?

A: The only thing really is the 50-yard field. For receivers, it's basically the same—run your route, get open, and catch the ball. Playing football with eight men, you can't do all the things you would on a regular field. You still have to play football, you have to line up, still block, and still tackle.

Q: What is it like playing on both sides of the ball? Do you prefer offense or defense?

A: I'm a receiver by trade, so offense is definitely my favorite. But, I' ve gotten adjusted [to playing both offense and defense]. This is my [eighth] year [in the league], I still like offense by far, but you have to play both, and I've learned it's not a big deal to play both. You just get in, get your mindset right, and when plays come you don't have to make big hits, you just have to stop them. I just try to stay focused and make some tackles. The [coaches] don't ask me to knock anybody out like regular defensive backs, but they definitely want [me] to make a play.

Q: What kind of music do you listen to?

A: I listen to some DMX and a little bit of R. KELLY. Those two are my favorites. I put on my headphones when I go warm up [in order to] get my mind off football and relax myself. Then, once I put my helmet on, it's a totally different thing.

Q: What makes you a good teammate?

A: A good teammate is somebody who is not so much going to be on your side whether right or wrong, but someone who's going to tell you what you need to know to help you be successful. A lot [of the players] call me "pops" or "coach" because I've been around for a while. I'm not the type of guy who is going to yell at you or go crazy out on the field, I'm just going to help you get in the best situations, help you learn, help you grow as a person, and help you grow as a football player.

Q: How does it feel to catch passes from rookie QB JOE HAMILTON and what do you see in him?

A: First of all, he really moved on from the rookie standpoint after the first couple of games we played together. Joe is a professional in everything that he does. It shows on the football field where he doesn't make many mistakes. You have to learn how to play this game, and he has really taken to it. He likes perfection. It helps me out a lot because he and I are on the same page a lot, and we both just want to win. We're both willing to do whatever it takes. We may not throw for 300- or 400-yard games or have a big offensive explosion, but the thing that we do is win games. Our teammates look up to that, because we are going to do anything in our power to win games.

Q: What would you be doing if you weren't playing in the AFL?

A: For the last six years, I've been selling insurance as an independent agent, so I think I might be in sales. I like my time and I like to be able to help people, so dealing with insurance, you're always doing something to help people. That's one of the things I like to do a lot. I would probably be really into sales, just like I'm trying to grow my business right now.

Q: Where do you see yourself in five years?

A: I hope I'm not playing football. I don't see myself as being one of those 40-year-old guys still playing. If it is up to me, I'd like to be able to move on from this, because my kids are 12 and 10, and they're getting to the point where they need me at home instead of being on the road so much. But either way, I like doing what I do, and I'm really just trying to be a provider for [my kids]. Right now, it's calling for me to be in Orlando playing Arena Football, but I'll just evaluate it day-by-day and when that day comes when I need to move on, it's going to be really easy for me to do. I've put in my time, and everyday, I treat it like it might be my last day. I enjoy what I'm doing.

Q: What is your favorite moment from your AFL career to date?

A: My favorite moment would probably in my first year. I got cut from the [Dallas] Cowboys in 1996, and then my first year in the AFL was 1997, and I won Rookie of the Year. That, along with the first time we went to the ArenaBowl in 2000 (with Nashville Kats) are my favorite moments.

Q: Do you see any similarities between this year's Orlando team and the Nashville team that appeared in two ArenaBowls?

A: A couple of teammates and I were actually talking about that yesterday. The teams are very similar. You basically have a bunch of guys who would do whatever it takes to win. We really gel together as a team and as a unit. We've lost games and we've won a lot of close games, too. The biggest similarity is that we've become a family with team unity. We do a lot of things together and that team camaraderie, before anything else, is going to help [us] fight for one another when the games are really close and the ArenaBowl is coming. I think our success now can be attributed to the fact that the guys are closer and they know what they are going to get from the next player. When I look down the line of scrimmage, I know that one of the lineman is going to do everything he can to win just as I'm doing everything I can. We fight for one another out on the field.

Q: What two AFL teams would you like to see in the ArenaBowl this year?

A: Orlando and whoever else—it doesn't matter, but definitely Orlando.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 27, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central