Jason Pierre-Paul, of the New York Giants, and C.J. Wilson, of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both had fingers amputated during separate firework incidents over the Independence Day weekend.
Pierre-Paul, an All-Pro defensive lineman, had his
right index finger amputated, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, who wrote that doctors performed the procedure Wednesday afternoon.
Pierre-Paul sustained the injury to his hands during a fireworks accident in South Florida, sources told the sports network on Sunday. The lineman also suffered fractures to his right thumb, which could take up to six weeks to heal.
Wilson, a defensive back, lost two fingers in a fireworks
accident on Saturday, according to the Lincoln Times-News in North Carolina.
Wilson reportedly lost an index and middle finger when a canister he was
holding with fireworks inside exploded, according to WBTV.
"I'm sure it's in the back of his mind," Curtis Wilson, Sr. told WBTV of his son's NFL career. "For me, that really doesn't matter. My son is alive so God took care of him as far as that. I guess we'll cross that bridge later on down the road."
Wilson Sr. told WBTV that his son was visiting a friend's home with others over the weekend when the accident happened.
"Having fun with fireworks," he said. "I'm not sure where they purchased it from, exactly what nature it was, but had one explode while he was holding it in his hand."
Schefter was later criticized by others for actually posting a photo on Twitter of Pierre-Paul's medical record showing the amputation.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.