Last year, a pair of NFL players suffered serious hand and finger injuries in fireworks mishaps. This year, Steelers receiver Antonio Brown offered a blunt, candid warning to anyone and everyone who was inclined to use fireworks.
“Have a safe 4th of July and show up to work tomorrow with the same amount of fingers as the last time they saw you,” Brown said on Twitter.
After some suggested the Brown was what the kids call “subtweeting” Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, Brown said, “I’m not throwing shade or calling anyone out. Just saying be safe while acknowledging a common injury if you’re not careful. C’mon now.”
While it’s impossible not to connect Brown’s specific finger-mentioning message to a guy who lost his index finger and portions of others last year in a fireworks accident, Brown’s matter-of-fact reference to the kind of outcome that can and does happen when fireworks aren’t properly handled is the kind of thing people need to hear in order to ensure that they won’t get reckless when dealing with explosives that can disfigure hands -- or a lot worse.
And, of course, Brown later tweeted the graphic that appears in this story, with his goalpost-hugging touchdown celebration pasted onto a large rocket. Which would put appendages far more sensitive than fingers at risk.