In Defense Of Plaxico Burress
By now, the sad story of New York Giants’ wide receiver Plaxico Burress is pretty much established … home boy accidentally shot himself in the leg with an illegal handgun at a New York City nightclub on Friday night.
Of course, Burress attempted to cover the whole thing up by getting a friend to hide the gun in New Jersey and checking into a hospital under the name of “Harris Smith,” purporting to be nothing more than some schmo who got shot at Applebee’s.
Burress now faces 3.5 years in the pokey (minimum) for carrying an illegal handgun, as well as the possibility than an awful 2008 season in New York could be his last.
Ten months ago, Burress was on top of the world. He had just caught the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII, thus backing up what we thought was the craziest sports guarantee ever.
But since then, things have fallen apart.
After holding out in preseason, he’s been suspended, fined and injured throughout this season, which has been the least productive of his nine-year NFL career.
Of course in all fairness, Burress has been double-covered in practically every game he’s played this season, thus freeing up teammates Amani “It’s Not A” Toomer and second-year speedster Steve Smith to share in the Giants’ receiving load.
And it’s worked … New York is 11-1 and poised to repeat as Super Bowl Champs.
Now, however, they’ll have to do it without Burress.
Which is certainly appropriate, although we think 3.5 years for a case of bad judgment that only hurt one person – Plax – is a little excessive.
Burress obviously panicked after an accident borne of his own poor decision-making.
Did he break the law? Yes.
Should he get put away for 3.5 years over this? Absolutely not.
Free Plax, people. Free Plax.
UPDATE – Apparently New York’s Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, disagrees with us. Whatever. When you sell your soul and circumvent the Democratic process just to say in power for another four years, what you have to say on an issue means precious little to us.
Comments
By rick on December 1st, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Another case of an athelete following his own council(using the little head instead of the big head)….much like Vick et.al. Guys, just because you’ve spent a lifetime honing a skill doesn’t give you a free ride. What a stupid waste of talent….not to mention a life….
Oh well, send in the next bunch of clowns….When are the fans going to wake up to the stupidity of giving these clowns this much money and no adult leadership. And he didn’t even have a get out of jail free card…..
By Carl Weathers on December 1st, 2008 at 4:16 pm
“Sad story”? Funny? Yes. Sad? Hardly. Whether he goes to jail or not, what difference does it make? Give him six months, at least. He’ll still come out a very rich (and very stupid) man.
By No pity on December 1st, 2008 at 8:19 pm
He should go away for the 3.5 years. If I committed the same crime, no one would be rallying around me saying it is excessive. Money should not circumvent the law. He was stupid enough to commit the crime, he should be man enough to do the time. He gets no sympathy from me.
And if he gets anything less than 3.5 years, it will be just another example of how the rich gets off while everyone else have to pay the consequences.
When I see you writing in defense of Tyrone who lives in Harlem, who got caught with an illegal weapon, I may think you are against this excessive penalty instead of just another person coddling another spoiled, overrated athlete.
Also, I have no sympathy for Michael Vick either. He broke the law. And when you are making that kind of money and still doing thuggish things, you deserve what you get.
I don’t just feel this way about athletes either. T.I. should be in jail at this very moment instead of getting that sweetheart deal for having AK-47s as a convicted felon.
By Steve W. on December 1st, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Sending Burriss to jail for 3.5 yrs for accidentally shooting himself is IMHO unconstitutional. New York city violates the constitution with it’s draconian gun laws. An American citizen should have the right to defend himself, and these pro football players are no exception.
If this had happened in SC, Burriss would not be prosecuted. As for owning AK-47’s, I think we all sohuld be able to own them.
By Mike S. on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:24 am
I agree that prosecution in this case is unconstitutional. Why can’t New York authorities stick to punishing the real criminals, like the ones who shoot guns at others or who run over their fellow human beings at Wal-Mart on black Friday!?
By rick on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
What!!!!! Have laws that obey the constitution? Have laws that make sense? Punish the criminals when the law abiding make it so easy with their honesty? Wow…..Still, he wasn’t in SC, the laws in NY haven’t been overturned….he was wealthy and stupid….3.5 is easy education. Just think if he had used that gun?
By keyon on December 2nd, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Thank you i thought i was the only one . They are making this thing way bigger than it is you want to put a guy in jail for shooting himself cone on.