CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul injured his hand while attempting to light fireworks in South Florida during the Fourth of July weekend, according to multiple reports.
NFL sources claim Pierre-Paul, 26, has severe burns to his palms and the tips of three fingers, which could result in nerve damage.
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Pierre-Paul was taken to Broward Health North in Pompano Beach, where he was being treated Sunday.
Multiple tweets indicate that Pierre-Paul had procured a large amount of fireworks for the Fourth of July. The fireworks appear to have been stored in a rented U-Haul van. Pierre-Paul posted an Instagram video in front of the van prior to the incident.
Cellphone video obtained by Local 10 News shows fireworks in a Coral Springs neighborhood that are believed to be the same used by Pierre-Paul. One resident said they "were big, major fireworks, like you would see at a fireworks display."
"Those fireworks were definitely illegal," she told Local 10. "They were the kind that went way up in the air. They were beautiful, but not if you don't want your house to catch on fire."
The two-time Pro Bowl player attended Deerfield Beach High School and the University of South Florida. He was a first-round draft pick of the Giants in 2010.
Pierre-Paul was expected to recover, and doctors don't believe there will be any permanent damage.
The Giants have not commented, but their actions may have spoken louder than their words. The team has withdrawn its $60 million long-term contract offer, NFL.com reported Monday.
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