We’re approaching the one-year anniversary of Jason Pierre-Paul’s fireworks accident that left him with a mutilated right hand and forced him to miss half of the 2015 season. In this public service announcement, JPP tells Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Elliot Kaye about the night that changed his life.
Wow, it’s only been a year since Pierre-Paul’s life was altered forever, huh? That’s nuts. It feels like ages ago. We’ve seen so many photos and videos of the hand over the past 12 months and it’s become so familiar, we sometimes forget what JPP looks like with two fully functional paws.
This Fourth of July, JPP is staying far away from the festivities, stating that he will be someplace where they don’t celebrate America’s birthday. ““I’ll be gone,” Pierre-Paul said. “I won’t even be in the United States . . . Where I’m going, they don’t even celebrate the Fourth of July.”
Pierre-Paul is also suing ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter for leaking JPP’s medical records. That trial is scheduled to go to court during the 2017 preseason, when it’s possible that JPP is playing for another team. Jason signed a one-year deal in March that should pay him $10 million.
Pierre-Paul will earn a base salary of $4,250,000, a signing bonus of $4,250,000, a roster bonus of $600,000 and a workout bonus of $300,000. Pierre-Paul has a cap hit of $9,400,000 while his dead money value is $8,500,000. The agreement was widely praised as the best move by the Giants this offseason. Pro Football Focus gave JPP’s contract an ‘A’…
"“When you see what other edge defenders have got, how can you not like this? Even if JPP never completely adjusts to his injured hand, he proved in 2015 he can still get it done, recording one of his best pass-rushing seasons of his career.”"
…and also called him the best free agent signing of the 2016 offseason:
"“Signing Olivier Vernon was the big-money deal, but the Giants locking up Jason Pierre-Paul for a year at that price was incredibly good business. In essence, they saved over $5 million from the price of the franchise tag, and still got him signed before he hit the open market. JPP famously recorded just one sack after returning last season, but he also notched 41 total pressures and six batted passes. The Giants need him back in town, and should expect to see his production improve with another year of learning how to play with the limitations of his hand. This was extremely smart business that allows them to walk away in a year if his play does dip, or postpones the big-money contract if he lives up to it.”"
Though JPP only registered one sack in ’15, his presence boosted the Giants pass rush and many have noted how far he’s come since his return in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. JPP has been posting videos of his workouts on Instagram and he’s been seen punching tackling dummies with his damaged right hand.
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The legend just grows larger in JPP’s story, further solidifying his chances of becoming the NFL’s greatest comeback story of all-time.