NEW YORK — July 4th, 2015 changed Jason “JPP” Pierre-Paul’s life.
The New York Giants defensive end lost part of his hand when a firework exploded while he was holding it. He says he thought he could throw it before it exploded.
In a new public service announcement put out by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, JPP shares his story.
He says it can happen to you if you’re not careful.
“On my way to the hospital, all I could think about was my son, and if I was going to make it,” he says in the PSA. “Now I am just truly blessed to be alive.”
The most important things to remember are to keep fireworks away from kids and leave professional fireworks to the professionals.
JPP lost his index finger in the accident and suffered severe damage to his right hand.