New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul made a questionable decision to play with fireworks, and now he’s feeling the media backlash from a former teammate.
David Diehl, an offensive lineman who played with JPP for four seasons, wasn’t pleased with Pierre-Paul’s decision to refuse team officials when they tried to visit him in the hospital.
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, according to Darryl Slater of NJ.com, Diehl said of Pierre-Paul:
“Denying the New York Giants access because technically you’re not under contract, it’s almost a slap in the face to the New York Giants, because of everything they’ve done for you up until this point.”
Slater notes Diehl’s comments came before a report that Pierre-Paul’s right index finger had been amputated.
The now-Fox Sports analyst who spent 11 seasons in New York questioned the team potentially giving JPP a long-term deal. Diehl said:
“This is his sixth year. This isn’t his rookie year. If they feel, and if you need somebody to watch you [during the offseason] going into your sixth year, because of immaturity, yeah, that’s throwing up red flags for everybody all around, that: Why would you invest that long-term deal into somebody that you’re not 100 percent confident [in]?”
Pierre-Paul is seeking a long-term deal, and Jordan Raanan of NJ.com reports the Giants “fully intend” to have him on the roster next season.
But after a not-so-smart decision to play with fireworks, don’t be surprised if New York demands Pierre-Paul take a paycut.
Photo: USA Today Sports