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NFL star Jason Pierre-Paul visits Deerfield Beach boy who lost hand in fireworks accident

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – A South Florida boy who lost his hand in a fireworks accident is getting some superstar support.

NFL legend Jason Pierre-Paul, who is from Deerfield Beach, says he felt compelled to visit little Kyrie Herman.

“I understand everything that he’s been through because I’ve been through it,” said Pierre-Paul.

Speaking to Local 10 News, Pierre-Paul explained that survived his own fireworks ordeal and after seeing Local 10 News’ story about little Kyrie, he felt compelled to reach out.

“It was sad,” said Pierre-Paul. “I was like, ‘Yo, 6 years old?’”

It was Tuesday when Kyrie was reportedly playing with a firework outside his Deerfield Beach home when it exploded.

Pierre-Paul suffered his injury back in 2015 when a firework detonated in his hand, causing him to lose a finger and part of his thumb.

As for Kyrie, his dad showed off his football jersey and said the pint-sized athlete is ready to get back on the field.

“He’s doing good,” said Richard Williams, Kyrie’s father. “He’s a fighter, he’s strong. Right now we’re just dealing with the healing process of what he’s going through.”

Added Pierre-Paul: “He’s in great spirits, I showed him pictures of my hand, how I used to look, and how I was in the transition. And I told him it’s going to come from here and here (points to head and heart), you know?”


About the Author

Janine Stanwood joined Local 10 News in February 2004 as an assignment editor. She is now a general assignment reporter. Before moving to South Florida from her Washington home, Janine was the senior legislative correspondent for a United States senator on Capitol Hill.

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