"We didn't make the playoffs this year, and I feel like half of that is my fault," Pierre-Paul said. NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Jason Pierre-Paul says seeing his right hand without skin after a fireworks accident last July 4 was like watching a movie. One of the greatest American traditions is to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks. When he got to the NFL, he was a breathtaking talent. ", Him: "Three girls! You can change a little boy's life who might be hiding his body right now, who might not want to get in the pool because of his feet. So I've already won. Remember, I struggled with the shocking mortality I felt when my body was forever altered, and I'm just a dad-bodded sports editor. Lean -- hard -- into your defects. Pierre-Paul, who turns 27 on Friday, is eligible for unrestricted free agency at the end of this season and said he'd like to be back with the Giants if possible. They shared a moment in the hallway, holding up their middle fingers together, two puffy reminders of painful moments. This article is more than 7 years old. Yeah, JPP has seen 'em too and he's laughing all the way to the bank! These images are graphic. The Tampa Bay Bucs star finally decided to clap back at his hand-haters on Friday -- almost 5 years after a fireworks accident blew off parts of his right hand. Last Fourth of July, a firework blew up in JPPs hand. A doctor told the mother of Pierre-Paul's infant son that his career was likely over. Pierre-Paul hid the results of that accident for a while before sharing the full extent of his condition, but thats not the way hes playing things anymore. Pierre-Paul had 5.5 sacks in the two games before Sunday, when he suffered the injury. Especially with his thumb already gone, the most important finger for gripping. After checking out the baseball workouts on STACK.com, browse through the articles and videos below for drills, advice, and motivation from some of the nations top coaches, college baseball programs, and elite athletes. Last Fourth of July, a firework blew up in JPPs hand. Enter my new life coach, Jason Pierre-Paul: "There's nothing to be embarrassed about," he says. At that point, it seemed that his NFL career was over. "I ask them if they want to see him, and then I walk up and show them," he says. Jason Pierre-Paul had his right index finger amputated after he sustained injuries when shooting fireworks. Okmin is closer to that point than ever, too. My hand has stopped me from doing a couple of things, but that'll be fixed. It was great because it turned out to be the right thing to do for my body. So how did Jason Pierre-Paul lose his fingers? "I love that picture so much because I felt like it was a huge step for me. Pierre-Paul wasnt able to grip One of his friends suggested that the U-haul was almost empty, and he asked him to launch the last set of fireworks. even though he couldnt make more than one sack, JPP made a noticeable difference on the pass rush since he returned. In early September, Pierre-Paul had surgery on his right hand to fix his now bandaged middle finger, and Pierre-Paul doesn't think the injury will affect his ability to get to the quarterback: I can't think of the last time my index finger got me a sack . Even more notable for some casual football fans, Pierre-Paul is now nearing the end of the sixth season he's played since injuring his right hand in a 2015 fireworks incident. Think back to how the world saw Jason Pierre-Paul before that day in 2015. As part of the procedures, his right index finger was amputated as it had been completely blown off. I can't think of the last time my index finger got me a sack ???? Once youve built up your conditioning, check out some of our advanced volleyball drills and mental techniques. Before I let him go, I tell him I still feel a little sheepish -- embarrassed, even -- about my feet. Id rather have the worst defense again than have a chunk of the cap higher than maybe 5 million allotted to this guy to run around and bump into people half the game. Pierre-Paul wasnt able to grip anything with his hand upon his return to the fieldafter missingmonths as he recovered from the fireworks accident that cost him one finger and part of another. NEWARK, N.J. Jason Pierre-Paul and the New York Giants have agreed to a one-year contract more than three months after the defensive ends right index finger was amputated following But don't worry, the guy has a sense of humor and says he got a good laugh out of all the memes. Of two different people with body traumas who combined forces years ago to get over the hurdle of shame. hopefully for his sake he can get a decent contract in FA to make up some of the large heap of money he lost when this happened. Buccaneers outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul has been nursing (and for the last three weeks, playing through) nagging injuries to his hand and shoulder. I'm just a different type of player. But if Pierre-Paul were to sign it, he'd officially be under contract with the team and would be eligible for the non-football injury list. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Download the TMZ App on the Apple App Store, Download the TMZ App on the Google Play Store. One huge thing that's helped me is learning to laugh about my feet. The process requires participants to understand and observe NCAA rules and regulations, conduct thorough research, schedule home and campus visits, network and communicate appropriately, and, for most student-athletes, engage in self-marketing. ", Him: "Forrrrrrrrrr sure. The Giants signed Pierre-Paul to a four-year extension in the 2017 offseason, but they traded him to the Buccaneers in 2018 for draft capital. I didn't think I was never going to play football again. He had his best season post-fireworks incident in 2018, at least in regards to sacks, recording 12.5. Doctors had reattached it, but it wasn't quite the same. Pierre-Paul has said many times, before and since the fireworks accident, that he'd love to stay with the team that drafted him. On the eighth attempt, there was a flash and a boom. Okmin let it hang in the air for a second, and then she explained what was happening as Pierre-Paul laughed along with the quick backstory: She had spoken with Pierre-Paul earlier in the season, right before his first game back after a horrible fireworks accident that July. Losing a part of yourself is a trauma way deeper than the actual wounds. Due to the nature of the injuries and the treatment, the source said, Pierre-Paul is unable to use the hand while recovering. I find that inspiring. Pierre-Paul has not yet signed his $14.81 million franchise tender, and the Giants currently have no plans to revoke it. And he has moved on. Now, he's back in the Super Bowl and a Pro Bowler for the first time since 2012, and he's a beacon of hope for us amputees. If the whole thing were a math problem, I got the answer right despite showing the wrong work. STACK has the volleyball drills and workouts you need to take your game to the next level. "People see it, I see it, and once I can move away from the club, I'll be perfectly fine.". Jason Pierre-Paul shows just how badly his hand was injured on July 4, sharing a photo reportedly from the day after his infamous fireworks accident. Take your game to the next level with softball drills and workouts at STACK.com. He really shouldnt have had those doctors cut off his finger so he could rush back last season. "Think about it. She had been hiding her hand for decades. The New York tabloids and talk radio-industrial complexes had a field day with him, and things got worse when reports leaked that Giants reps couldn't find Pierre-Paul. Its like he has to post something every week. And then July 4, 2015, happened. It's so easy to see yourself as less than, to look at the wound and see only a billboard for your less-than-edness. "With my hand," he says now, "I was looking at my hand every day and wondering, 'How?' At STACK, youll not only get football-specific conditioning workouts, youll also find strength and power workouts from pros. Jason did not notice anything, but someone yelled when he took a closer look at his hand. Pierre-Paul played a single year as a defensive end at USF, transferring to the university located in Tampa as a junior out of Fort Scott Community College in Kansas. Basketball is a fast-paced sport that requires explosive strength, top speed, agility and fine-tuned on-court skills. What happened to Jason Pierre-Paul's hand? His injury and right index finger amputation resulted from a fireworks accident that occurred during the 2015 Independence Day celebrations. Nov 8, 2015, 1:18 PM. F our months after blowing off part of his right hand in a July 4 fireworks accident, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul finally played in an NFL game this past Sunday. His dad lost his eyesight as an adult, and Pierre-Paul said he never heard him complain once about what must have been an incredible loss as an adult. Jason Pierre-Paul is Back Working Out Despite Losing a Finger, Jason Pierre-Paul Bench Presses With Injured Hand. Okmin can come with her Fat Finger. He remains unsigned and is not being paid. We had a good giggle when we were on the phone and she called her finger her nub. Everybody had to take their shoes off to be on the mats, so I took mine off. "They didn't have to. His entire hand was black and burned, and nothing could be done to salvage parts of it. I could dwell on it, like, Damn, I wish I had that finger, Pierre-Paul told SI, but when I look in the mirror, Im happy. Training refers to the workouts, exercises and drills they perform outside of organized practices to improve their Strength, Speed, Conditioning and Flexibility, as well to rehab and prevent injury. She credits her conversations with Pierre-Paul over the years as key to finding the funny when it comes to her finger. Associate Sports Editor, The Huffington Post. This website uses cookies and third party services. Within two minutes, I saw a little girl ignoring instructions because she couldn't stop looking at my tiny feet. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. Copyright 2023 ESPN Internet Ventures. He was transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where he was admitted for more than two weeks. 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"OK, I need to protect you," the boy said. Well, we did that early on in Pierre-Paul's career. Maximize your performance with workouts, drills and advice from coaches and athletes from some of the top college wrestling programs in the nation in our wrestling training video library. Do they know about what happened to your feet? (TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. Jason's career almost came to an end after the fireworks incident, but he is thankful to the doctors who did everything humanly possible to save his hand. He recorded 9.5 sacks this year, taking his three-year Tampa Bay total up to 30.5, and JPP also grabbed his first two interceptions since 2013 this season. By subscribing, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? Pierre-Paul has been playing with a heavy club wrap on his hand since his Week 9 return from the July 4 fireworks accident that cost him his right index finger and severely damaged his middle finger and thumb. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul had to have more surgery on his hand last month in hopes of improving the flexibility in his right middle finger. EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: First look at Jason Pierre-Pauls hand without a bandage. Im looking at my [right] hand and Im seeing every ligament, Pierre-Paul told SI. He only has two functioning fingers on his right hand. Yes! For more lacrosse training, nutrition and gear advice from the nations top coaches and players, see our lacrosse training videos. Can the Lions fix their defense? The last set of fireworks didn't do anything the first seven times Pierre-Paul tried to launch them, he told Sports Illustrated in 2016. The initial emergency surgery performed on Pierre-Paul required more than a dozen pins put into his hand, along with skin grafted from his forearm to his palm. It sounds ridiculous, I know, but funerals are life's clearest sign that you're wrapping up a chapter and must find a way to start the next one. And they still love you, right? Pierre-Paul was transferred to a hospital in Miami where fears of it being a career-ending injury went away. Check out hockey drills and workouts from goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, defenseman Duncan Keith, the University of Michigan hockey team and others. http://t.co/G8FSGgKEck pic.twitter.com/Vaf0dj8aGk. During the date, he reached to hold her left hand, and she instinctively tried to pull back and sub in her right. Pierre-Paul smiled back -- and threw a bird her way, too. "It was a beautiful moment because he asked me. And I will bring my Rudolphs. This time, Brady is his team's quarterback. She noticed this because she had hidden her hand, too. He said the goal of the surgery is to improve the flexibility in his middle finger so that he can grip better and play without that club. Jason Pierre-Paul joins his fellow Tampa Bay Buccaneers in making history at Super Bowl LV in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, serving as the Big Games first host team to contend for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ", Me: "Can I be in the club with you and Laura? He had blown off his index finger and the top half of his middle finger. That's it: different. EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: First look at Jason Pierre-Paul's hand without a bandage. Become a better soccer player through the conditioning workouts, speed training and foot drills on STACK.com. Be the first to get hottest news from our Editor-in-Chief, Check your email and confirm your subscription. After what could've been a career-altering accident, JPP remains one of the most feared sack-artists in football. Glad we can all laugh about it now but remember kids, DON'T PLAY WITH FIREWORKS!!! Even though he lost his fingers, he is thankful to the Lord because it could have been worse. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, 2023 NFL franchise tag tracker: Commanders' Payne first to be tagged, Meet the man scouring Nigeria for the next generation of NBA and NFL talent, 2023 NFL combine preview: 15 future fantasy football stars to watch, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, New Jersey native and author of two published novels. The mom nervously chuckled, but I caught them both looking at me the rest of the day. That may or may not be true, but in any case, not having his right index finger will prevent him from doing this: By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. As a result, he's not able to bend it to the extent that he used to. http://t.co/G8FSGgKEck pic.twitter.com/Vaf0dj8aGk. Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser! Expand. Allegedly Raced UGA Assistant Before Fatal Crash, 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. Instead, I stuffed my face with Vicodin and Percocet and Oxycontin, sometimes all together in one big overdose party in my stomach, and tried to just bury everything. Which is part of the reason he feels he owes the Giants something. Pierre-Paul will have to continue to be upfront about the condition of his hand as he tries to land a job for the 2016 season after playing out last year on an agreement with the Giants that modified the franchise tender to reflect the changed circumstances that came with Pierre-Pauls injury. The greatest American traditions is to celebrate Independence day celebrations Copyright 2015 CBS RADIO Inc. its! Shoes off to be on the Google Play Store sheepish -- embarrassed, even -- about my feet with thumb... The playoffs this year, and the treatment, the most important finger for gripping level! 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