ESPN's Adam Schefter broke the news on Wednesday afternoon - via the publishing of a medical document, no less - that New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was forced to have his finger amputated in the wake of the reported fireworks mishap that occurred over the Fourth of July weekend while Pierre-Paul was visiting family in Florida.
As shocking as that revelation was, it may not be the most alarming element of the story, especially for Giants fans.
It seems, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, that Pierre-Paul has denied Giants officials access to himself or his family throughout the entire ordeal, up to and including the surgery to remove his finger.
"In addition to turning away Giants staff members who tried to visit him in the hospital the past few days, following a fireworks accident over the weekend, the injured defensive end has refused the team's offer to set him up with hand specialists in Manhattan, sources have told FOX Sports."
Per Garafolo, a pair of Giants team officials - vice president of medical affairs Ronnie Barnes and former Giants linebacker Jessie Armstead, now a special assistant and consultant for the team - were denied access to JPP after they flew down to Florida in order to check up on the health of their franchise-tagged defensive end earlier this week.
JPP has also refused the team's offers to connect him with New York-area doctors and specialists who are, of course, often considered to be among the best in their fields, per Garafolo.
"The Giants have offered to provide similar services for Pierre-Paul, who is not under contract with the team right now because he has yet to sign his franchise tender," reports Garafolo. "Sources say Pierre-Paul's family and representatives have declined the help to this point."
Whether it's silly on JPP's part to deny the assistance of the franchise for which he currently plays - though with whom he is not presently contract - is entirely debatable.
What is not, is the fact that the relationship between the big defensive end and the only franchise he's ever known has clearly deteriorated to the point where he not only hasn't sought their assistance during this trying time, he's allegedly actively avoided it.
Related Stories:
Giants Pulled Jason Pierre-Paul Long-Term Contract Offer In The Wake Of Firework Incident?
