The Fourth of July is synonymous with American patriotism. Americans spend time with family, remember the military that fought for independence, and cap off a day of celebration with fireworks.
As always, handling explosives can end poorly. For two-time Super Bowl champion Jason Pierre-Paul, it was just another standard Fourth of July until it wasn’t, 10 years ago.
While lighting fireworks, Pierre-Paul encountered trouble, resulting in a firework exploding and costing him some of his fingers. It didn’t stop him from football, though, as he continued to play even under the circumstances he put himself in.
That day is a teaching moment for Pierre-Paul and a lesson he can carry forever and to future generations.
Jason Pierre-Paul Uses Fireworks Accident as Life Lesson for His Children
Losing fingers is not what Pierre-Paul had planned for his patriotic celebration 10 years ago. But he’s moved past it and is using it as a life lesson for his children. He has learned to accept the consequences and never to put himself in situations like that again.
“I wouldn’t want my kids to go through something I went through. … I learned from it. At the end of the day, I’m a big person, but this happened to me. It could happen to anybody,” Pierre-Paul told ESPN’s Jordan Ranaan.
Pierre-Paul will never be able to get his fingers back, but walking away with a learning experience is something he can take away. The most important part was that it didn’t cost Pierre-Paul his career.
Hands are an essential part of football, and if Pierre-Paul walked away from the incident any worse, it may have cost him his job.
Pierre-Paul returned to the New York Giants the following season and played two more years there. His true redemption tour came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though.
Adversity is a theme that goes hand in hand with Pierre-Paul’s career. He racked up 12.5 sacks in his first year in Tampa Bay before missing the beginning of next season with a broken neck.
As Pierre-Paul only knows how to, he bounced back. Appearing in the latter 10 games of the 2019 season, he had 8.5 sacks. In 2020, he again reached the league’s pinnacle as a Super Bowl champion and appeared in the Pro Bowl as he proved the doubters wrong.
NFL Veteran Seeks Comeback After Missing 2024 Season
Now, he’s got another goal on his mind. After being out of the NFL for the 2024 season, Pierre-Paul is hungry for more and wants to make an NFL comeback.
He sits at 94.5 career sacks, and one opportunity to get him to 100 in his career. This would be a massive milestone without two and a half fingers. While he would love a reunion with the Giants, a return is the top priority.
Jason Pierre-Paul told @JordanRaanan he still wants to play — and says it would be “dope” to return to the #Giants.
He’s currently at 94.5 career sacks and would love to hit the 100 mark.
On the 10-year anniversary of his fireworks accident, JPP says he continues to do speaking… pic.twitter.com/bggXeuiBgU— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 4, 2025
He’s more than overcome the disaster on the Fourth of July and is focused on being the best version of himself. Right now, that’s being a role model for his children, enjoying his life, and looking to return to the NFL.