Hell No, Plaxico: Ex-Giant’s Player Denied Work Release

The New York State Department of Correctional Services has denied former New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress’ request for work release privileges.  Burress pleaded guilty in 2009 to a charge of attempted criminal possession of a weapon in a plea bargain, and was sentenced to two years in prison last September.  With credit for good behavior, Burress could be released in June of 2011.  The work release would have allowed Burress to spend time out of jail to go to work.  New York doesn’t hand these things out very much; only about 2% of those applying are allowed work release.

Burress was convicted for a November 2008 accidental shooting incident at a New York City nightclub.  He had gone to the nightclub with a 40 caliber Glock handgun tucked into the waistband of his sweatpants.  The gun fell out of the waistband, slid down his leg, and fired, hitting him in the right thigh.  The injuries were not life threatening, but Plaxico was in big trouble.  He had no license for the gun in New York, or in New Jersey, where he lived.  He had an expired concealed carry weapons permit from the state of Florida.  Burress said he carried the gun for protection, as a teammate had been robbed a few days before.

Burress would like to return to the NFL after his release from prison, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has stated that Burress can sign with a team after his sentence is complete.  Burress scored the winning touchdown for the Giants in Super Bowl XLII in their 17-14 win over the New England Patriots.  The Giants have indicated they have an open mind on the subject of a Plaxico Burress return.

Burress is apparently on target for that June 2011 release, which would give him roughly 3 months to train for the 2011 NFL season.  the   We won’t question Burress’ assertion that he was carrying the weapon to protect himself.  Professional athletes can be crime victims as easily as anyone else; for example, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo was robbed at gunpoint just last month.  However, Burress would have made things much easier on himself had he followed the licensing rules for New York.  We will say that this incident shows that anyone who owns a gun, or carries one for personal protection must understand how to safely handle the weapon.  Plaxico Burress was lucky in that he received a relatively minor wound and no one was killed.  Many other victims of preventable accidental shooting incidents have not been as fortunate.

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Tags: new york giants, NFL, plaxico, yovani