EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (WPVI) -- An NFL star who lost a finger in a July 4th fireworks accident is trying to help others avoid making the same mistake.
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul's public service announcement debuted Thursday morning on Good Morning America.
"In a split second, it blew up and blew off my whole hand," said Pierre-Paul in the new PSA. "All I could do was think about my son and whether I'm gonna make it."
Pierre-Paul, also known a JPP, says he is thankful to be alive and wants to spread the word about firework safety.
JPP lit a prefessional-grade firework last July 4th and it went off while still in his hand.
"I didn't know what was going on until I got up and I looked at my hand. Right then and there I was like I need to get to a hospital right away," he recalled.
Good Morning America had behind the scenes access as the Consumer Product Safety Commission shot the PSA.
JPP spent weeks in the hospital, losing his right index finger and severely injuring the rest of his hand.
"My recovery is good. You just have to overcome it," he said.
He says he thought he could get away from the firework in time, like so many do.
Countless YouTube videos show amateurs setting off fireworks. But the CPSC warns that even sparklers are not child's play.
"Sparklers are incredibly dangerous. They burn as hot as a blow torch," said Elliot Kaye from the CPSC.
The message JPP wants to send is to leave the fireworks to the professionals.