Almost a year after mangling his right hand in a fireworks accident, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has made a public service announcement about keeping children away from fireworks, and warning everyone to handle the pyrotechnic devices with care. The announcement was unveiled Thursday at a fireworks safety event in Washington by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Elliot F. Kaye. Pierre-Paul lost an index finger and part of his thumb, and was required to have reconstructive surgery to save his middle finger, when a device exploded in his hand on July 4.

Last Fourth of July, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul made a life-altering decision to try to throw a lit firework. Now, Pierre-Paul is taking the anniversary of his accident to remind people to play it safe around fireworks, and is doing so in the most striking way possible: by showing the damage the explosion did to his hand. Pierre-Paul lost most of two fingers and his thumb, as well as the opportunity for a generational-wealth contract, and now plays with a large mitt covering his right hand.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck signed a six-year contract extension through the 2021 season for $140 million, the richest contract in NFL history, Colts owner Jim Irsay said Wednesday. The biggest prior deal in NFL history saw Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers ink a five-year contract for $110 million in 2013. "Andrew has signed through 2021," Irsay tweeted.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced the week before Super Bowl 50 that the league would be instituting a new hiring practice that opened the door for more women to be interviewed for executive positions. That rule has been implemented and already has shown results, according to the NFL.

The Denver Broncos' public relations staff has won the Pete Rozelle Award winners from the Professional Football Writers of America for consistently striving for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media. The Super Bowl champion Broncos earned the award for the third time and the second time in three seasons. This year, Denver beat out the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants.

This offseason, Shutdown Corner will travel down memory lane with a series of stories presenting some interesting and sometimes forgotten stories from the NFL's past. Join us as we relive some of the greatest and craziest moments in the sport's history. There was a lot of talk amid the Cleveland Cavaliers’ run to an NBA title about LeBron James’ greatness, and it even leaked over into his athletic versatility — and just how good an NFL player the former high-school receiver might be. Fascinating discussion, but thankfully, James stuck with hoops. He’s pretty good at that. But with the NBA draft upon us , it brings up a really interesting fact as it relates to the NFL: There have been shockingly few crossovers in football and basketball, at least in the professional ranks. [ Yahoo Fantasy Football is open for the 2016 season. Sign up now ] Just recently, we had former NBA dunk champ Nate Robinson — the former Apple Cup hero who played cornerback at Washington — try out for the Seattle Seahawks, who are passing for now . Although Robinson claimed to want to be the first player to play in both sports, we believe he’s wrong on that fact.

There doesn't seem to be anything New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham can't do.

Peyton Manning is looking forward to the transition from football player to football fan. The recently retired Denver Broncos quarterback was in Knoxville on Monday to play in his charity golf tournament and announce the winners of the University of Tennessee's Peyton Manning Scholarships. Manning said he's looking forward to watching games rather than playing in them this fall.

The New York Giants claimed quarterback Logan Thomas off waivers after he was cut by the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins waived Thomas on Thursday. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Thomas originally joined Dolphins last season when he was claimed off waivers from the Arizona Cardinals.

Uncertainty is the only sure thing for Muhammad Wilkerson these days. The New York Jets' disgruntled defensive end is in a contract dispute with the team, unsure if he'll ever get the long-term extension he desires from the Jets. ''Yeah, I'm surprised, frustrated,'' Wilkerson said Friday night, reiterating his comments to the New York Post in a story published Thursday.