Jason’s fan-dance
Giants defensive end dedicates sacks to a special friend
HE’S the good-luck charm the Giants needed. During Big Blue’s Sunday night 23-10 victory over the Denver Broncos, Jason Pierre-Paul busted out a heartwarming sack dance inspired by his new friend Hayden — a 7-yearold superfan with cancer.
On Friday, Hayden toured the Giants’ training facility thanks to Madison Square Garden’s Garden of Dreams Foundation — a nonprofit that works with kids in need — and he and the defensive end bonded while comparing dance moves.
“You know what? If I get a sack, which I am gonna get a sack, I’m gonna do your dance,” Pierre-Paul said to Hayden in a video posted to Twitter by MSG Networks’ Knicks broadcaster Jill Martin.
Pierre-Paul kept his promise and then some, ending the night with three quarterback take-downs in the Giants’ first win of the season. In his post-game interview, the 6-foot-5 veteran — who played his best game of the 2017 season — told NBC Sports’ Michele Tafoya that he dedicated his performance to the young Giants fan.
“We had Hayden, you know he’s fighting cancer, and I told him I was going to come out here and play for him and get a sack tonight and I wound up getting three. So this game ball goes to him.”
The sweet story immediately went viral, and the young boy’s parents have been overcome by the outpouring of love.
“The acknowledgment of Hayden’s strength to fight and how it has inspired others to do great things makes my husband and me very proud,” his mother, Amy, tells The Post.
“We have seen such kindness in people of all ages and in many different fields. The Garden of Dreams knows how to make those in difficult situations feel welcome and appreciated. This experience has helped our family to have incredible memories that will last a lifetime.”
On Monday, Pierre-Paul gave another shoutout to Hayden on his Instagram, posting: “Got three for my boy Hayden tonight and I did his dance, keep fighting buddy. #90PowerCircle.”
The 28-year-old also gave his gloves — specialized to fit his damaged fingers following a July 2015 fireworks accident — to Hayden, who has lost a toe due to his battle with cancer.
And keep the tissues handy.
MSG Networks will air a full feature on Hayden’s visit with JPP during Saturday night’s broadcast of the Knicks-Pistons matchup.