Kudos to former NIU wide receiver P.J. Fleck.

Recently, he’s shown that he’s not only a talented receiver, but also a writer.

Fleck was picked up as a free agent alongside NIU teammate Randee Drew to the San Francisco 49ers training camp. Throughout his stay in California, Fleck has been writing a weekly column for the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye.

Fleck’s columns just might be a sign of something that’s been a long time coming: a little more respect for NIU’s football program from the mainstream media. Fleck mentions NIU frequently in his entries.

He points out that people have always told him he wouldn’t make it, mainly because of his size. A 5-foot-10 star receiver isn’t something you see that often. He adds that being a 5-foot-10 receiver from NIU doesn’t help public opinion, but that he’s trying to prove the odds wrong.

Fleck’s determination and work ethic is a welcome change to many athletes. His writings in the RedEye not only look good for him, but for NIU as well.

Notice, the person writing the column isn’t the superstar player you might think it’d be. Fleck was a great NIU player, but he certainly didn’t have the exposure that running back Michael Turner had. Everybody loves the underdog, and Fleck is certainly making his case as just that.

Not to say that Turner isn’t working just as hard as Fleck, but Fleck is using everything in his power to make NIU more recognizable. Turner did his bit too, of course, by working out at the NIU Pro Day even though he didn’t have to. Turner’s presence brought more scouts to NIU to see the likes of other NIU pro hopefuls.

It’s nice to see former players remembering their roots. Turner, Fleck and others have already waved goodbye to NIU but are still helping its image as a collegiate power in football.