New England Patriots linebacker Darius Fleming made two combined tackles in Saturday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. What most didn't know about the Patriots' young linebacker was that two days prior to Saturday's playoff matchup, he helped save a woman from a burning vehicle by kicking through her car window to help her escape, according to Andy Simms, Fleming's agent.
Fleming suffered a cut on his leg that required 22 stitches to close, but he was able to suit up and play in the Patriots' important playoff game. Fleming was a fifth round pick by the San Francisco 49ers back in the 2012 NFL Draft but never found his ground in San Francisco after tearing his ACL in his first rookie minicamp. Fleming has faced an uphill battle pursuing his dreams in the NFL, as he tore his left ACL prior to the following season and would miss another season due to injury.
Fleming has been on the Patriots' roster for the two seasons and has shown the quality of character he has after this heroic act. The talented linebacker played college football at Notre Dame, and he was a high school graduate from St. Rita High School in Chicago. Fleming's high school released a statement regarding his brave act: "On and off the field, Ritamen like Darius do great things. Keep up the great work, Darius, & thank you for your courage."
