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Jason Pierre-Paul releases striking fireworks safety video

Last Fourth of July, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul made a life-altering decision to try to throw a lit firework. The explosion blew apart his right hand, putting his career and, for a brief time, even his life in doubt. He’s since returned to the field, but the damage the explosion did to his hand reverberated around the NFL.

Now, Pierre-Paul is taking the anniversary of his accident to remind people to play it safe around fireworks, and is doing so in the most striking way possible: by showing the damage the explosion did to his hand. Pierre-Paul lost most of two fingers and his thumb, as well as the opportunity for a generational-wealth contract, and now plays with a large mitt covering his right hand.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

“Man, life is a blessing,” Pierre-Paul told Fox Sports in December. “I feel like after my incident it really made me realize football is not here forever. I’m all the more anxious to come out here and let my teammates know, ‘Look, hey, this is the same JPP. Missing fingers aren’t going to stop me from playing some ball.’ I’m only getting better from here. I’m excited.”

The video is a bit tough to watch, but a good reminder of what can happen with one wrong decision on the Fourth of July.

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports and the author of EARNHARDT NATION, on sale now at Amazon or wherever books are sold. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.