Former New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul doesn’t hesitate to talk about the July 4th accident that cost him “2½” fingers, an event that accompanies him as much as each of his 94.5 career sacks.
The injury is a constant reminder, from buttoning a shirt to reflecting on a career that still hopes it’s not over.
“I wouldn’t want my children to go through something like what I went through… I learned from it. At the end of the day, I am a strong person, but this happened to me. It could happen to anyone. So you have to accept it. What is there to be ashamed of? There is nothing to be ashamed of. You just live and learn from it.”
Jason Pierre-PaulThe accident occurred in 2015, when Pierre-Paul was trying to light fireworks for a party in Deerfield Beach, Florida. He had trouble lighting the last batch, and when they finally exploded, he suffered serious injuries to his right hand.Pierre-Paul tuvo que ser sometido a la amputación de su dedo índice derecho. A pesar de cuestionarse si su carrera en los Giants había terminado, logró regresar para jugar ocho partidos en la temporada 2015.Despite the amputation of his right index finger, Pierre-Paul returned to play eight games in the 2015 season. He played two more seasons in New York, accumulating a total of 16.5 sacks in the three years following his injury.
“We didn’t think he would play at all,” said former Giants VP of player personnel Marc Ross. “It’s a medical marvel, really.”
Pierre-Paul continued his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he had a double-digit sack season in 2018, despite the limitations of his hand. Already a holder of a ring with the 2011 Giants, he won a second Super Bowl in 2020, after overcoming a neck fracture suffered in a car accident in 2019.
Pierre-Paul has accepted his deformed hand as part of his story: from being a nobody in college football to being a first-round pick, an All-Pro, and a two-time Super Bowl champion.
“I tell [Josiah] directly, listen, in life, some people are born with 10 fingers. Some people are born with disabilities. Some people are born with natural gifts,” Pierre-Paul said. “And having 10 fingers is a natural gift. You don’t know how you’re going to be created. You don’t know if in life you’re going to have trauma or dramatic changes, but just prepare for it.”
Pierre-Paul’s father, Jean, lost his sight shortly after his son was born. This helped keep everything in perspective after the fireworks accident.
Now, it’s about learning from your mistakes and passing that knowledge on to the next generation. Your children don’t play with fireworks. If he has something to say about it, they never will.
“I tell [Josiah] directly, ‘You have 10 fingers, right?’” said Pierre-Paul. “He says, ‘Yes.’ I told him, ‘Well, do you want to keep them? Once they’re gone, you can’t replace them.’”
Pierre-Paul continues to participate in talks and events where he talks about the dangers of fireworks. He sees this as part of his purpose.
He mentions that he has been in contact with the cousin of former teammate and NFL cornerback Marcus Peters, who suffered a similar fireworks accident and lost four fingers. Peters connected with them and they now speak regularly, according to Pierre-Paul.
“My message to the children is that you never know how life is going to go,” she said. “Don’t put yourself in a situation you’ll regret later.”
Pierre-Paul claims to have no regrets. However, he sometimes wonders what his career would have been like if the accident hadn’t happened. Would he have more than 100 sacks in his career? (He currently has 94.5.) More Pro Bowls and Super Bowls?
Reaching 100 sacks is important for Pierre-Paul, who continues to train to play despite not being on a team in 2024. He says he works as hard now at 36 as he did a decade ago, waiting for that call from a team willing to give him a chance.
Before unable to hang from a bar to do pull-ups, now does between 25 and 30 pull-ups easily.
Pierre-Paul still thinks he can help a team, that he can be a veteran who closes out games.
“I can still do it,” he said.
If he had the opportunity to do it for the Giants team that selected him in the first round in 2010, it would be something he would gladly welcome, a moment of closing the circle.
“I think that would be great. Tremendous,” said Pierre-Paul. “Going back to where my career started… the fans know me and know the type of player I am. I will always be that type of player and I will simply give them everything I have, which I know will be more than enough.”Pierre-Paul aún cree que puede ayudar a un equipo, que puede ser un veterano que cierre partidos.The accident from a decade ago is something that Pierre-Paul carries with him, but he remains focused on the opportunity to return and be the best version of himself.
“I have 7½ fingers. You’re still alive,” he said. “You have the opportunity every day to breathe deeply, to try that delicious drink you want to try? To have a glass of milk or drink coffee in the morning, whatever you like. You have another chance at it every day. So, why not be great at what you have?”
