Playing Career
Fleck started his playing career at Kaneland High School located in Kaneville, Illinois where he helped the Knights win back to back state championships in 1997 and 1998. He set a state record with 95 catches for 1,548 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior. For his career, Fleck caught 199 passes for 3,121 yards and 34 scores with at least one catch in 40 straight games. Fleck also ran track and played basketball.
Upon graduation, Fleck attended Northern Illinois University where he played wide receiver. As a senior, he led the Huskies with 77 catches for 1,028 yards and six touchdowns, a reception total that still ranks second on the school's single-season list. Fleck still owns the school record for career punt returns (87), is second in punt return yards (716), ranks third in career catches (179) and is fourth in receiving yards (2,162). He was a second-team Academic All-American as a senior and was twice voted team captain by his Huskie teammates.
He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the 49ers in 2004. 49ers head coach Dennis Erickson labeled Fleck a "frickin' warrior" during training camp. Fleck spent a majority of the 2004 season on the 49ers practice squad before being promoted to the 53 man roster and appearing in the 49ers final game of the season. Fleck spent the 2005 season on injured reserve after suffering a significant shoulder injury during the preseason. In the summer of 2006, Fleck was released by the 49ers. The day he was released, 49ers head coach Mike Nolan noted that coaching could be in Fleck's future, stating "If that's something he wants to do, I think he'd be very good at it."
Read more about this topic: P. J. Fleck
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