EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Former New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul speaks openly about the Fourth of July accident that happened 10 years ago, which resulted in him losing “2½” fingers. He acknowledges this incident just like he remembers his 94.5 career sacks.
Every time he puts on a dress shirt and reaches for a button, or reflects on his career, he can’t escape the memory.
“I wouldn’t want my kids to experience what I went through. … I learned from it,” Pierre-Paul shared with ESPN during a phone call last week. “In the end, I’m a big person, but this happened to me. It could happen to anyone.”
“So why hide it? There’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s all about living and learning from experiences.”
On that Independence Day night in 2015, Pierre-Paul was lighting fireworks he bought for a neighborhood celebration in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He struggled with the last set of fireworks, and when one finally went off, it caused serious injury to his right hand.
He recalls nearly fainting from blood loss while a friend rushed him to Broward Health North Hospital. Once inside the hospital and seeing the damage to his hand under the bright lights, he pleaded with doctors, “Don’t cut my hand off!”
Pierre-Paul had his right index finger removed. Although he worried that his career with the Giants might be over, he returned to play in eight games during the 2015 season. He continued playing for two more seasons in New York, achieving a total of 16.5 sacks over the three years after his injury.
“We never thought he would play again,” said Marc Ross, the former Giants vice president of player personnel. “He’s truly a medical miracle.”
In 2018, Pierre-Paul had a season with double-digit sacks while playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, despite challenges from his hand injury.
He already had a Super Bowl ring from the 2011 Giants and won a second championship in 2020 after recovering from a broken neck due to a car accident in 2019.
Pierre-Paul has accepted his deformed hand and continues to pursue his career. It doesn’t define him; it’s just part of his journey: from being an unknown at junior college to becoming a first-round draft pick, an All-Pro player, and a two-time Super Bowl champion.
He shares this message with his 10-year-old son Josiah and plans to do so with his younger kids Joline, Jacie, and Jason Jr.
“I tell [Josiah] honestly that some people are born with ten fingers, some have disabilities, and others have natural gifts,” Pierre-Paul explained. “Having ten fingers is one of those gifts. You can’t predict how you’ll be born or what challenges you might face in life, but you need to be prepared for anything.
“And I told him… my dad has been blind since almost the day I was born. And look at me now; I’m 36 years old, and he’s still here.” “He smiled, and that’s what matters to me.”
Pierre-Paul’s father, Jean, lost his vision shortly after Pierre-Paul was born. This setback hasn’t stopped him from leading a joyful and fulfilling life. Pierre-Paul mentioned that this experience helped him keep things in perspective after the fireworks incident.
Now, he focuses on learning from his past mistakes and sharing that wisdom with the next generation. His children do not play with fireworks, and he intends to make sure they never do.
“I tell [Josiah] directly, ‘You have 10 fingers, right?'” Pierre-Paul explained. “He replies, ‘Yes.’ I say, ‘Well, you want to keep them? Once they’re gone, you can’t get them back.'”
Pierre-Paul frequently gives talks about the risks of fireworks. He sees this as part of his mission.
He mentioned that he has been in touch with the cousin of his former teammate and NFL cornerback Marcus Peters, who suffered a similar accident involving fireworks and lost four fingers. Peters introduced them, and they now communicate regularly.
“My message to kids is that you never know how life will turn out,” he said. “Avoid putting yourself in situations you’ll regret later.”
Pierre-Paul stated that he does not feel regret about his own experiences. However, he sometimes wonders how different his career might have been if the accident hadn’t occurred. Would he have more than 100 career sacks? (Currently, he has 94.5.) Would he have made more Pro Bowls or won more Super Bowls?
Reaching 100 sacks is important to Pierre-Paul, who continues to train for a chance to play despite not being on a team in 2024. He claims that at age 36, he works just as hard now as he did ten years ago while waiting for a team to give him an opportunity.
He couldn’t hang straight from a pull-up bar before, but now he can easily do 25 to 30 pull-ups.
Pierre-Paul still thinks he has what it takes to help a team as an experienced closer.
“I can still do it,” he stated.
He would love the chance to play for the Giants, the team that picked him in the first round from USF in 2010. It would feel like coming full circle for him.
“I think that would be awesome. Amazing,” Pierre-Paul said. “Going back to where my career began… the fans know me and understand what kind of player I am. I’ll always be that kind of player and will give them everything I’ve got, which I know will be more than enough.”
Pierre-Paul still thinks about the accident from ten years ago, but he stays focused on his chance to improve himself and be the best he can be.
“I have 7½ fingers. But I’m still alive,” he said. “Every day gives you a chance to take a deep breath and enjoy something nice. Whether it’s a glass of milk or coffee in the morning, whatever makes you happy.
“You get another shot at it every single day. So why not make the most of what you have?”
