Jason Pierre-Paul, NFL Player With U-Haul Full of Fireworks, Burns Hand

New York Giants defender Jason Pierre-Paul — known as JPP — reportedly seriously hurt his hand in a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July and was treated at a Broward Health facility in Deerfield Beach. 

Posts on social media — including two videos that Pierre-Paul posted to Instagram (@iamjasonpierrepaul) — suggested that the 26-year-old had a U-Haul filled with fireworks. 

Rumors about his condition ran the spectrum yesterday, with sports writers alternately saying that his injuries were not career-threatening and that they could require amputation. 

According to a biography on his website, Pierre-Paul was born New Year's Day 1989 in Deerfield Beach to Haitian immigrants. His father was blind, and his mother worked cleaning jobs. He played varsity basketball at Deerfield Beach High School for four years but didn't join the football team there until after the start of his junior year. He went on to play football at two small colleges before landing at the University of South Florida. In 2010, he was a first-round draft pick for the Giants. He is considered one of their best defensive players. 

Pierre-Paul was offered a $14.8 million, one-year contract (a franchise tag) this year but has not yet signed it because he was holding out for a better deal. Experts are saying the Giants could likely rescind the offer. 

A video posted by Jason Pierre-Paul (@iamjasonpierrepaul) on Jul 4, 2015 at 4:31pm PDT

You betta

A video posted by Jason Pierre-Paul (@iamjasonpierrepaul) on Jul 4, 2015 at 4:32pm PDT

The van Jason Pierre-Paul was reportedly transporting fireworks in. @lizardstout says she was lighting them w/ him. pic.twitter.com/BzXrmbVrln

— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) July 5, 2015

So for the #Giants fans curious about JPP, I was told that amputation COULD an option, but not confirmed.

— Marc Eisenberg (@Coach_Eisy) July 5, 2015

ESPN reported: "A source told ESPN.com that Pierre-Paul has severe burns on his palm and tips of three fingers, and one finger is being tested for nerve damage. He didn't lose any fingers, and doctors believe there will be no permanent damage or disfigurement of his hands."

People were quick to make jokes on Twitter: 

Live look at Jason Pierre Paul aka JPP playing with fireworks on the 4th of July pic.twitter.com/aLJszgvglQ

— June Nara (@June__NYC) July 5, 2015

The Broward Sheriff's Office reported another fireworks accident Saturday; a 24-year-old Margate man lost his hand in Dania Beach.

According to a news release: 

Just before midnight Saturday, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue units were dispatched to an address in the 100 block of Northwest 13 Avenue in Dania Beach after a 9-1-1 caller reported a man lying on the ground, bleeding profusely. BSFR Rescue 1 was on scene in two and a half minutes. They were met by a large crowd around the victim. Bystanders told firefighters that a firework went off in his hand but offered little or no details beyond that, including the source or origin of the firework. Firefighters noticed a large amount of debris in the roadway, consistent with the detonation of multiple fireworks. The victim lost most of his left hand above the wrist in the blast and was transported in critical condition to Broward Health Medical Center in Ft. Lauderdale.