He's okay, really. No serious permanent damage to Jake Brown from his big fall at the X Games. Somehow his now-infamous collision with the X Games big ramp left him with two left feet so he has to get special shoes made but other than that…he's right as rain, mate.
Prior to August 2, 2007, Jake Brown was a known quantity in Australian and international skateboarding. He'd been competing since 1996, and into the 21st century, Brown was regularly claimed and acclaimed as the best vertical skater in the world. During the 2007 Summer X Games, on his fifth and final run, he landed a 720 but got the wobbles on the way up, lost it in mid-air and suffered the action sports version of the Hindenburg disaster. Brown slammed so hard it knocked his shoes off. Tony Hawk compared Brown's great fall to jumping from a third-story window and landing on concrete. The entire country – the world – saw it, and everyone groaned at the same time. Brown walked away from the bottom of the ramp without his shoes, but he went straight to the hospital for three days of observation. The final diagnosis: liver and lung contusions, stress fractures on his vertebra and a fractured hand, but he was alive, he could still walk, and he could still skate. He had a silver medal but should have got a gold for controlling that fall the way he did. That was an athlete.
…But that's old news. Brown is probably tired of talking about it and hearing about it. He lived and his life goes on. How is life going since the Big Doughnut? Exactly what you’d expect – continuing to push the limits on a vert ramp and helping to keep that sport alive and thriving (as it should be). Look for him to be the opening shot and big story of X Games 14 and make history once again on the Mega Ramp.
Jake is a top 10 Vert skater. His consistency and fearless attitude has helped him get there along with his great style and an amazing bag of tricks. Jake can be spotted performing incredible tricks not only at contests, but also in skateboard videos. He had the main part in the Digital Video entitled “Invasion.” He has gained significant exposure by receiving media coverage in TV with the X Games and Gravity Games. Jake also receives extensive media in all endemic magazines.