Super Bowl Champion Addresses Potential NFL Return on Fourth of July
Friday marks the 10th anniversary of the fireworks accident that cost former New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre‑Paul 2.5 fingers on his right hand.
Advertisement
Across 14 NFL seasons, Pierre‑Paul compiled 94.5 sacks, 167 quarterback hits and 631 total tackles, placing him among the top edge defenders of his era.
In his conversation with ESPN's Jordan Raanan on Friday, Pierre‑Paul didn't shy away from his aspiration to continue playing.
When asked about returning to the Giants, where "my career started," he said, "I think that'll be dope. Tremendous … the fans know me and know the type of player that I am. I'll always be that type of player and just give 'em everything I got, which I know it'll be more than enough."
Selected 15th overall in the 2010 NFL Draft out of South Florida, Pierre‑Paul quickly emerged as one of the league's premier pass rushers, tallying a career‑best 16.5 sacks in 2011 and earning First‑Team All‑Pro honors after helping the Giants capture Super Bowl XLVI following the 2011 season.
Advertisement
After the 2015 fireworks accident in which he lost 2.5 fingers, Pierre‑Paul defied expectations by returning for eight late‑season games that same year and added 15.5 sacks over the next two Giants campaigns.
Following a trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018, he posted double‑digit sacks again in 2018 (12.5), earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2020 and won a second championship with the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV that same year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (90) reacts on the sidelines.© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
However, after stints with the Baltimore Ravens (2022), New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins (2023), Pierre‑Paul went unsigned for the entire 2024 season.
At 36 years old, he's recently been posting intense workout clips on social media, reporting his playing weight back at 270 pounds and insisting 'I've got abs! I haven't had abs since my rookie year' in an interview in May.
Advertisement
With a relatively young pass rushing unit of Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and this year's No. 3 overall draft pick, Abdul Carter, the Giants could benefit from adding a savvy veteran like Pierre-Paul.
Related: Chiefs' Travis Kelce Set to Address Major NFL Question, Taylor Swift Relationship
Related: Russell Wilson Has One Word for Wife Ciara After Historic News
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Heat Make Final Decision on Trading Former No. 1 Overall Pick
Heat Make Final Decision on Trading Former No. 1 Overall Pick originally appeared on Athlon Sports. In one of the more bizarre situations during the NBA season, the Miami Heat were left with no choice but to trade Jimmy Butler. Advertisement The six-time NBA All-Star was frustrated following Pat Riley's decision not to extend Butler's contract before the 2024-25 season, which was expected to be worth around $113 million over two years. After demanding a trade to certain teams, Butler ended up accepting a move to the Golden State Warriors. In return, as a part of the five-team deal, the Heat landed former top pick Davion Micthell, Kyle Anderson and former No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Andrew Wiggins. Following a season that saw the Heat limp into the playoffs only to be blasted by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Riley is looking to be active in free agency or the trade market. While this means acquiring players, it also means parting with some as well. Something that according to ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel, the Heat are willing to do with Wiggins and Terry Rozier. Advertisement Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22).Sam Navarro-Imagn Images "After letting Duncan Robinson walk in free agency, the Heat are below the first apron and still looming on the trade market as a team wanting to make a substantial move," wrote Siegel. "Andrew Wiggins and Terry Rozier are two players the Heat would like to trade, sources said. Neither player would be involved in a potential Kuminga sign-and-trade for the Warriors to bring back." In terms of what move is available for the Heat that could see them part with Wiggins and Rozier, that remains to be determined. Related: LeBron James Breaks Silence on Trade Speculation After Post on Friday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
$5.5 Billion Franchise Pegged as Suitor For Andrew Wiggins
$5.5 Billion Franchise Pegged as Suitor For Andrew Wiggins originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the NBA offseason starts to heat up, the Los Angeles Clippers, a franchise worth a staggering $5.5 billion and owned by Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer, have emerged as a potential suitor for Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins. Advertisement According to NBA insider Greg Sylvander, the Los Angeles Clippers are being monitored as a team interested in acquiring the 2022 NBA Champion. Wiggins was acquired by the Heat in the blockbuster trade that sent Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors. The former All-Star made just 17 appearances for the Heat in the 2024-25 campaign, averaging 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on a remarkably impressive 52.3% shooting from the field. Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins (22).Sam Navarro-Imagn Images With the Heat showing interest in trading the versatile forward, perhaps Pat Riley's first big move of the summer is one that sends Wiggins back to the West Coast. Advertisement As Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra look to recalibrate the roster around stars Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo and engage in trade talks with the Clippers, names like Paul George and Norman Powell are ones who pose themselves as valuable assets. After a disappointing season that ended in a sweep by Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Heat are desperate to find players that fit their gritty style of basketball and can generate offense in the half court. For a storied franchise that's had seven NBA Finals appearances since 2006, maybe shipping away Wiggins to the Clippers is a move that can help the Heat reclaim their status as contenders in the Eastern Conference. Related: Heat Make Final Decision on Trading Former No. 1 Overall Pick This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How to watch USMNT vs Mexico: Gold Cup final stream link, TV channel, team news, prediction
For the 8th time in CONCACAF Gold Cup history (18 tournaments), the USMNT and Mexico are set to face off in the final of the 2025 edition at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on Sunday (7 pm ET). MORE — Gold Cup schedule | Club World Cup knockout bracket Advertisement The Americans have won just two of seven finals against their southern rivals, though they did come out on top in the last such meeting, in 2021 (1-0 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, on Miles Robinson's 117th-minute goal). El Tri have won a record nine Gold Cups, while the USMNT will close the gap to just one if they lift no. 8 this weekend. How to watch USMNT vs Mexico live, stream link and start time Kick off time: 7 pm ET, Sunday How to watch: Fox, TUDN Stream online: or the FOX Sports app USMNT focus, team news Diego Luna has used this Gold Cup as his personal playground and breakout moment with three goals, including both in the USMNT's 2-1 victory over Guatemala in the semifinals, and two assists through five games. The 21-year-old Real Salt Lake star has been flanked in midfield, and frequently on the scoresheet, by Malik Tillman (three goals and two assists of his own) to form a dangerous one-two punch that can make a real case for a place in the starting XI next summer when the 2026 World Cup is played in the United States, Mexico and Canada. But can they deliver once more, against the best that CONCACAF has to offer, in perhaps the biggest game of their young careers? Advertisement Mexico focus, team news The Gold Cup would be Mexico's second trophy of 2025 after Javier Aguirre's side won the 2024-25 Nations League back in March. Raul Jimenez has scored twice this tournament, including the game's only goal to beat Honduras and book Mexico's place in the final. Center back Cesar Montes scored three goals during the group stage and played all 90 minutes to secure the clean sheet against Honduras. USMNT vs Mexico prediction A cagey affair, as finals often are. Three of the eight finals finished 1-0, including each of the last two (2019 and 2021). A first trophy for Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT boss. USA 1-0 Mexico.
