From Marquee to Mere Criminal

In Super Bowl XLII, Plaxico Burress snared the penultimate pass. On September 4, he signed a 5-year, $35 million contract. On September 25, he was suspended for two weeks. On December 1, he was charged with criminal weapons possession. This commencement may be repetitive. Unfortunately, the conclusion is also.

On Thursday, Burress conceded. On December 22, he will plead guilty. “This is a sad day, because I think a very good man who is a brilliant athlete is going to unfortunately spend twenty months in prison when he had no intent to violate the law,” said Burress’ Attorney Benjamin Brafman. “I give Plaxico a great deal of credit for accepting responsibility, for recognizing that he had to accept responsibility is a hard decision in a case like this, because as all of you know, the facts in this case have never been in dispute from day one.”

“This is a perfect example in many ways of how bad judgment sometimes has very terrible consequences,” Brafman continued. “Far more than in my view may be justified under the circumstances. Plaxico decided that he wanted to do this, put this behind him as quickly as possible, in the hopes that when he is released, he will be able to resume his stellar professional football career.”

On November 27, Burress entered a nightclub. His concealed weapon was unregistered. Burress’ gun slipped. A bullet pierced his thigh. On December 2, he was suspended again. On April 3, the Giants released him. “He is a friend of mine, a great teammate. We won a championship with him. I am saddened by the news -- two years,” said Eli Manning. “Again, I just wish the best for him and his family and try to support him any way we can.”

Allegedly, Burress will receive 24 months incarceration. Until sentence is pronounced, I will avoid hypotheticals. ESPN can speculate. I will simply state the obvious. According to United States statistics, one per one-hundred thirty-six residents is incarcerated. 10.4% of African-Americans are imprisoned.