JUNE 13, 2009

While visiting Dallas for a Rascal Flatts concert, 20-year old UCLA student Jake Flemming was punched by another 18-year old concert attendee and suffered severe head injury when he struck the concrete ground on his head.

Flemming is now in a comma and the alleged attacker is now in custody. Flemmings parents are now with him in Dallas unsure as to their son’s future.

This is a very unfortunate story, yet underscores the “brutality” of what is an actual attack as well as the “element of surprise” factor as witnesses say Flemming was “sucker punched” with his attacker quickly fleeing the scene following the hit.

Stories like this, while tugging at our hearts, also make us realize the fragile nature of not only our safety, but our very “frame” (i.e. skull). This is why we emphasize that in the heat of attack, the most important thing we can do is protect the head at all costs. Yes, other body parts may be vulnerable, but they simply cannot cause the same kind of damage as a blow to the head.

Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with the Flemming family and our hope is that Jake will not only come out of the comma, but will suffer no ongoing damage. Enough damage has been done already due to one of the most dangerous drugs on the street — testosterone.

UPDATE TO STORY: April 21, 2010 Jake Fleming returned to the UCLA Tennis Team, still recovering…but recovering nonetheless!

Jeff McKissack
Founder, Defense By Design

Jake Flemming