Jason Pierre-Paul’s Injured Hand Is Ready for Its Close Up
Those who are faint of heart or squeamish should look away.
On Friday, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul gave the media a close-up shot of his mangled right hand, stemming from a July 4 fireworks accident, and it's not pretty. The shot clearly shows that the index finger on his right hand has been completely amputated, as previously reported, with a chunk of his right thumb and middle finger missing and his ring finger badly swollen and disfigured. To see a close-up shot of his hand, click here.
Speaking to reporters for the first time since having his index finger amputated, Pierre-Paul briefly relived the fireworks accident with ESPN and other reporters crowded around his locker.
"It wasn't frightening at all," Pierre-Paul said. "I am not going to go into detail with it. It is something I do every year for the kids. It just happened. I did it for six, seven years. I live and learn from it and moved on."
He added: "I wasn't worried at all. I wasn't in shock or nothing. I looked at my hand and my fiancee was going crazy, but I kept calm through the whole situation."
Pierre-Paul is expected to play at some point this season, although his exact return date hasn't been specified just yet.
He'll need to wear a four-fingered glove on his surgically-repaired right hand.
"I am the same JPP that I was last year," he said. "There is not going to be a major adjustment. As far as my hand goes, I will get used to it. I am just fortunate enough to play football again."
Pierre-Paul had 12 and a half sacks last season, becoming a Pro Bowl selection.
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(Photo: Michael Thomas/Getty Images)