Jason Pierre-Paul may not be able to sign franchise tag

56 men signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. 24 of them were lawyers. 11 were merchants. Nine were farmers. Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured to death. Twelve men had their houses burned to the ground. Two lost sons in the Revolutionary War, and nine others died from wounds from the war. Announcing independence from Great Britain was an act of treason, punishable by death. And the 56 men still signed the most famous document in United States history.

The second president, John Adams said "It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other..."

Adam Shefter and Dan Graziano, ESPN:
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul injured his hands in a fireworks accident in South Florida, sources told ESPN on Sunday.

While full details are not yet known, a source told ESPN.com that both hands were injured. Pierre-Paul suffered severe burns on the palm of one hand and the 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.

Franchise tag - In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team only has one franchise tag (of either the exclusive or non-exclusive forms) and one transition tag per year.

The former first round pick has serious injuries to both hands. Doctors have yet to determine if the injuries are potentially career ending.
The injuries stemming from the incident could affect Pierre-Paul's future with the Giants after the pass-rusher enjoyed one of his best seasons as a pro in 2014. The Giants used the franchise tag on the two-time Pro Bowler, but he has yet to sign the $14.8 million tender and is consequently not under contract.

The New York Giants are now on the clock to get the $14.8 million franchise tag signed by July 15th or Jason Pierre-Paul will be declared a free agent.

One thing he won't be declared is a Rhodes Scholar.


Paul Murphy is a freelance writer from New Hampshire. .

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