Even though Plaxico Burress didn't suffer a life-threatening injury when he inadvertently shot himself in the leg last night, there's a chance things get worse for the embattled Giants wide receiver before they get better. First, the good news: it looks like he'll only miss two weeks as he recovers from the self-inflicted gunshot wound. The bad news: his latest off-field transgression could cost him an insane amount of money, and there's even the possibility that he ends up in the clink.
(On the upside, he didn't murder any puppies, so his return to the NFL won't be met by protests. But let's not get ahead of ourselves.)
Via the New York Post's Angela Montefinise, Burress (or as she so alliteratively calls him, "gridiron gunslinger" -- yikes) could get slapped with a felony for carrying a loaded gun into a night club. Apparently, there are laws against such things.
Records show the Giants' star receiver does not have a permit to carry a weapon in the city, meaning that he had no legal right to do so in the LQ Club in Manhattan, where he allegedly shot himself in the leg. Burress did have a concealed-weapon permit issued to him in Florida, where he has a home, but records show it expired in May. And even if it was still valid, New York does not recognize out-of-state permits.Police investigators are still gathering information, but criminal possession of a loaded weapon is a felony in New York, and it could land you in prison for up to a year.
But there's more. (Of course there is.)
NFL.com's Adam Schefter writes that according to the new contract Burress signed September, he'll forfeit a $100,000 bonus for each game he misses. So, at best, there goes 200 large down the Thomas Crapper while he recovers. Depending on how this plays out, that could be the silver lining.
If his shooting is found to violate his contract, which it well could, it could potentially cost Burress $14.5 million. ...I suppose this is where I could get all sanctimonious about Burress not putting himself in position to ... um, shoot himself. Eh, I'm guessing he's heard that speech before, and if his actions are any indication, he doesn't care. Cool by me; I'm not a Giants fan, don't run a bar, or own a rental car company. Relatively speaking, I think I'm safe. And if I never see him play football again, well, I'll manage.
Here is some of how it breaks down. With his behavior, Burress has jeopardized at least $6.75 million worth of bonuses in his contract, and an additional $750,000 if the Giants decide to pursue bonus money already paid to him this year.
Burress also has put at risk $5 million in potential escalators the next four years. He still could have to pay back money from his 2005 signing bonus of $2 million. Bottom line is, it's a messy situation that likely will not be cleaned up quickly or smoothly.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-29-2008 @ 8:40PM
donm said...
pgh fan. when plastic-head was in pgh, he was in the
process of working on his stupid. seems like he's been
doing a good job. was very glad to see him dropped
by the steelers. bonehead extra.
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 9:21PM
Jose said...
the guy's an as shole, pure and simple!!
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 9:23PM
redskinsfan said...
What a dumb ass. First why are you sticking a loaded gun off safety in your pants. Second why are you in a club with a loaded gun, your suppose to be recouperating from a hamstring injury. It is suppose to be bad enough that you cant play sunday. I hope the giants fine this fool an kick him to the curb. I agree if I never see him play again I will be just fine.
Reply
11-29-2008 @ 9:38PM
thefifth said...
I thank God he is alive and well.
Reply
12-01-2008 @ 1:56PM
cricket said...
Athletes in pro sports make obscene salaries and think they are above the law.Most are babysat through college and are basically illiterate. Boycott ALL NFL & NBA games until it sends a message to the owners that fans are fed up with the thug element in these leagues.
Reply
11-30-2008 @ 12:08AM
Skippy said...
Glad he just shot himself and not some innocent person.
Reply
11-30-2008 @ 1:20AM
buljos said...
Unbelievable... no... strike that. The Steelers warned us. We knew what we were getting. Another nut job WR with crazy football talent but shy of two gray cells to rub back to back. Like his team needs this never ending series of distractions as they try to focus on the prize. He's the last one left... the other loons are elsewhere... the ownership's not going to stand for this. Send him to the Bengals where he can join others of his ilk... dumb ass. If only he had half the character and commitment of Gerry Rice. Oh well... if he did, he'd probably still be playing for a team that respected his professionalism vice letting him go be a headache for somebody else. What a fool. What his teammates must think of him... dumb ass.
Reply
11-30-2008 @ 1:18AM
A.J. said...
There was a time in the NFL where, if you were a 6'4"+, 210+ receiver with half-decent hands and half-decent speed, you were next to indispensable. Now, they're a dime a dozen, it seems. There's always at least 2 or 3 with really good upside, and another 2 or three that could be serviceable.
The Giants can afford to move on without Plaxico Burress. Although nobody else on that squad creates the pure size mismatch to the level that Burress does, they can always go out and draft another guy if they're just looking for a big body to throw passes to. Amani Toomer isn't small himself, at 6'3" or so. That's still several inches taller than every corner in the league, bar Antonio Cromartie, Marcus McCauley, and Nnamdi Asomugha, who are all 6'2".
Reply
11-30-2008 @ 5:30AM
sgt gary said...
accidental discharge my foot....a gun goes off one way and one way only...you pull the trigger....duh.....hello.....what a moron....
Reply
12-16-2008 @ 9:59AM
skinsfan said...
HI GUYS!!! ITS ME PLAXICO!!! O WAIT THERES A BUG ON MY LEG, LEMME GET MY GUN OUT AND SHOOT IT, AIM.....FIRE!!!
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
seriously....how stupid can u get???
Reply
11-30-2008 @ 9:32AM
vaughn said...
giants should move on without him he is sick with money, that ruins a lot of none thinking people he will not get any better until he is broke.
Reply
11-30-2008 @ 12:57PM
God's gift Ron Bele said...
See we grow up In a world of glammer & want a be's riches & we still don't see , we grow up poor & needy & we wish to God , to be like Mike , on tv , so when God hear our crys & grant our wish , why do we seem to for get where we came from which is from the bottom to the top ? Do we want to go back & stay where we came from? Or this new God called ( MONEY) taking us by storm ? Your wish was to help others , to put your mother in a house called her own with no bills to worry about , to help other familly members with their finance problems , or put some money away for ownership in a business , even stocks , & travel the world , & do things you never even dream of . But we do things people would talk about in a bad way . See money & fame is no blessing they both fade away due through time , the both of these wants don't last or have meaning , it's life that really counts & want you do with it , we don't own our lives but we do own our chooses ( live or die ) ( do what's right or not to do what's right) ( good or evil ) ECT. So Mr superstar is this money & fame crack up to be ? With everyone in your busisness & where abouts , have we forgoten prayer so much that we look to a form of the unGodly items of force like a ( gun ) see we forgot Live By The Gun Die By The Gun , or in you case shot yourself in the the leg . See this is not a funny manner cuz if you would have
Damage your career or killed yourself how would you find it in yourself to forgive what has been done , it's not just about you it's others that are in the equation like your kids & other family members , all I have to say is remember your prayer as a kid to God , & forget that crazyness of what fame & money brings , cuz , you can't take money or fame or records with you to the grave
Reply
12-01-2008 @ 2:15AM
Paul Fried said...
Plaxico Burress is a fool and should never play for the Giants again. No doubt he will be able to find some team - but enough is enough --
He needs to be prosecuted as a " normal " citizen would be. Enough of kowtowing to these millionaire athletes who have no conception of the real world and what it takes to make money working - not playing football or basketball -- These losers seem to be running rampant in the New York sports scene - fry his ass !!
Reply
12-16-2008 @ 10:41AM
Leo said...
'Wacky Plaxxie's' weapon handling & safety can be attributed to the booze & grease on his fingers from wolfing down turkey without using a fork. You know, Giant fans, it could've been worse. 'Ka-boom Burress' could've fumbled the ba in the end zone instead...
I hope 'Big Bubba' refines him as his cellmate...
Reply