Giants Wideout Steve Smith Was Robbed Last Week, Which May Explain Plax's Gun

Despite Drew Rosenhaus' ridiculous comparison (Sean Taylor : Plaxico Burress) during Monday Night Football last evening, there is certainly, as has been noted numerous times this year, a significant stigma revolving around guns, violence and professional football players.

Athletes Robbed at Gunpoint

Giants receiver Steve Smith reportedly was robbed on Nov. 25 at his home in a gated community in New Jersey. Find out other athletes who have been robbed at gunpoint.

Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

Rashard Mendenhall, who was the Steelers' first pick in this year's draft, reportedly was robbed at gunpoint in Chicago.

Keith Srakocic, AP

Soccer legend Johan Cruyff revealed in a radio interview that he was the victim of a failed kidnap attempt prior to the 1978 World Cup.

Andrew Redington, Getty Images

Tennis player Anna Chakvetadze was tied up and robbed by six masked men at her home in December 2007. The burglars, who had at least one pistol, left with over $300,000 worth of goods and cash.

Thomas Kienzle, AP

Shelden Williams, who now plays for the Kings, was carjacked at gunpoint before a Hawks-Bobcats game in December 2007.

Fernando Medina, NBAE / Getty Images

Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson was the victim of a home invasion in September 2007 and was robbed of several pieces of jewelry at gunpoint.

Stephen Dunn, Getty Images

In July 2007, NBA forward Antoine Walker was held at gunpoint and robbed at his own home in Chicago. The assailants made off with close to $200,000 worth of merchandise, including Walker's Mercedes.

Rocky Widner, NBAE / Getty Images

Just 19 days after Walker was victimized, Knicks center Eddy Curry was held at gunpoint and robbed in his Chicago home. Two of the men charged in the robbery of Curry were also linked to the Walker case.

Nathaniel S. Butler, NBAE / Getty Images

Eagles defensive end Jerome McDougle was shot in the stomach by armed robbers after handing over his watch in July 2005.

Brian Killian, WireImage.com

Indians star pitcher C.C. Sabathia was robbed of $44,000 in cash and jewelry at a hotel party in the Cleveland area in 2002.

Charles Krupa, AP

Plax was the latest episode and one that left us wondering "Hey, man, why are you carrying a loaded gun into a nightclub?" The initial answer seemed to be "stupidity." But it turns out that maybe Burress had a legitimate reason to fear for his safety, considering that his teammate and fellow wide receiver Steve Smith was robbed at gun point recently.

Smith went out with friends on the night of Monday, Nov. 24, the day after the Giants beat the Cardinals in Arizona. He arrived home early last Tuesday morning - the Giants had the day off - and he was held up, apparently by the driver who took him to his home in a gated community in Clifton, N.J., according to a league source.

Shortly after being dropped off, Smith had a gun pointed to his head and was ordered to give up his jewelry and cash, which he did. The assailant then left the scene, and Smith called police.

Police have said that Smith doesn't own a gun ... but that doesn't mean there's not an easy, logical leap to figure out why Plaxico might be carrying one. Additionally, it's beyond terrifying to realize that his own driver was the one that robbed him.

Whether or not it was a personal hire or someone farmed out from a company is an entirely different issue, but it's still scarily similar to the whole deal in Vegas with Pacman Jones and his bodyguard in that it seems to be becoming increasingly difficult for these athletes to even know whom to trust.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)

12-02-2008 @ 2:22PM

lk said...

Please. That is not an excuse to carry a gun illegally. All of NY has a reason to fear being mugged. They are not walking around with guns. Just another thug in the NFL.

12-03-2008 @ 7:51AM

hollis said...

My opinion is a little differant. I think we should all be waliking around with a gun just like in the old west. I bet the robberys would slow down if thugs knew we all had a 45 on our hip.

12-03-2008 @ 9:16AM

Jon Boy said...

Has anyone heard of this new gun?

A gun that fires variable speed bullets and which can be set to kill, wound or just inflict a bruise

http://www.curiousread.com/2008/07/gun-that-fires-variable-speed-bullets.html

12-04-2008 @ 5:14AM

John said...

You have to carry a gun illegaly in NYC. Try getting a permit.
It was stupid of him to do such a thing. But then again smart folk don't go around shooting themselves. Unless you're married.

12-03-2008 @ 12:40PM

b said...

Yes - all of us in NYC have reason to fear being mugged, but the athletes are certainly walking around with a bigger target on their backs than am I. We all know what kind of money the athletes make - even the lesser known ones like Steve Smith. For heaven's sake the league minimum is four times what my husband and I make together in a year. If someone were to mug me they would be taking a chance that all they would get would be the laundry quarters in my bag and my cheap cell phone. Anyone jumping a pro athlete would certainly be making a safer bet to score big.

12-03-2008 @ 1:05PM

Kagan said...

It should be noted, however, that Burress DOES posses a license to carry a concealed weapon issued by the State of Florida. The technicality is that the State of NY does NOT recognize licenses issued by Florida. In fact his Florida license had expired, but under Florida law, he had a full 180 days to renew the license after expiration. I'm certain that this will all be thrown around in court. He (Burress) was stupid, yes! But it's not quite as simple as someone just trying to be a thug carrying an illegal gun. It IS a registered weapon, which begs the question; Why hasn't the NRA jumped all over this one yet? Just another indication of the NRA's true pursuit. Legal protection for ALL Americans is not really one of them. Having said this, I should also clarify that I am a Giants fan, but not particularly fond of Burress. I think the Giants SHOULD unload him ASAP. He IS trouble, and I would rather not see him in a Giants uniform. However, that does not change the fact that he IS entitled to a fair trial, both judicially as well as in the court of public sentiment.

12-08-2008 @ 1:08PM

jim cobin said...

Really? One player robbed in a gated (expensive and protected) community, another by his driver. Don't be naive.

12-02-2008 @ 2:35PM

bkbubco said...

Steve Smith robbed explains Plaxico Dumbass carrying a gun? What about the other 50 players on the Giants that don't carry a gun?

12-03-2008 @ 6:01PM

Aaron said...

What makes you so sure they don't, "buttermilk"!

12-02-2008 @ 3:31PM

dano said...

Are you kidding me... What next.

12-02-2008 @ 2:39PM

Doug said...

What a dumb and irresponsible post. Tell us, who else should carry guns illegally?

12-03-2008 @ 6:00PM

You! Especially if you can't afford bodyguards.

12-02-2008 @ 2:43PM

cat said...

So much shock expressed that "his own driver!" was the one who robbed him. I agree - that's gotta be pretty terrifying.

So now, in that vein, let's take a minute to feel some shock on behalf of the wives and girlfriends of some of these jocks, who live in a world where "their own husbands! and boyfriends!" are beating them up or (Bengals) having them shot.

Sure is hard when you don't know who to trust... At least with a driver, you're about his size, and you can get out of the car and never get back in it with him again. When it's a man you share a home and children with, that would be a little MORE terrifying, right?

12-02-2008 @ 2:49PM

Brian said...

How do you know that none of the other Giant players don't carry guns? It's not something they would advertise.

12-02-2008 @ 3:16PM

jim said...

I think it's time the owners of any pro sport teams stepped in and said enough is enough .They're spending millions on these players,and should develop acode of behavior that does'nt tolerate any indescretions,period. One violation and your gone.There are any number of second and third stringers ready willing and able to step in and do the job .An example would be Bledsoe,unable to perform,replaced by Brady. I think it's time for a change in all of pro sports.

12-03-2008 @ 5:59PM

Phewwwwwwwww

12-02-2008 @ 3:33PM

dan said...

Plax probably robbed Steve Smith.

12-02-2008 @ 4:13PM

Peter Capezio said...

dan - that is a great post. They should make this into a reality show.

12-02-2008 @ 3:36PM

Gene said...

When you walk around with tons of cash and loads of jewelry onunfortunatly in this world you are a target. I am not judging the players for flaunting what they have but this is the reality of the situation. If they(the players) don't want to be a target they have to be more discreet about who they are and what they have when they are out. Or if it became policy and known that they are not carrying cash and jewelry then these thugs who target them will know not to persue them. Just some suggestions. But hey it's a free country but their are risks one takes when they go out in public with all this cash and jewelry.