Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress might have done a really stupid thing by shooting himself in the leg with a handgun, but the team should stick with him through thick and thin.At least that's the opinion held by former Giants great Harry Carson.
As a featured guest at Tuesday night's Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year ceremony (attended by FanHouse) Carson walked the red carpet and chatted with reporters before heading into the post-ceremony party. Naturally, he was peppered with questions about Plax, and Carson spoke pretty candidly about the situation.
"(Plaxico) did something dumb, stupid, he regrets it, and I know exactly how he feels, but unfortunately he's in that situation right now," said Carson. "I hope the Giants organization sticks with him. Not so much to get him back on the football field, but, you know, Wellington Mara always said, 'Once you're a Giant, you're always a Giant, and you're part of the Giants family,' and I think that this is a time when Plaxico needs his family to support him. I hope the Giants organization sticks with him through this, regardless of what happens."
Carson went on to talk about how much Burress has done for the franchise, despite others' opinions to the contrary.
"(Plaxico has) been great for the organization; there are some people who say he's been a malcontent, but I beg to differ with that," said the hall of fame linebacker. "He's a guy who played much of last season with injuries, and he played well for the organization, so he showed his loyalty by coming out and playing -- he caught the winning catch in the Super Bowl -- and he hasn't really complained a whole lot this year, but he just did something really stupid."
A veteran of some Giants teams in the 80's that faced some off-the-field issues of their own (see: Taylor, Lawrence), Carson was steadfast in his belief that Plax could turn the whole situation into a positive, even eventually serving as a mentor to other players.
"There are a lot of young people who can learn from Plaxico in terms of what not to do, just like when Lawrence Taylor had his problems," said Carson. "I always said that Lawrence Taylor could be such an influential individual by sharing his story with young people as far as what not to do. And this is a prime example of that. Plaxico can go to athletes and tell them, 'You can have a huge contract and you can be a star, but you can't pack a piece.'
But in the end, Carson admitted that, given the dangers faced by pro athletes, it probably isn't wise to flaunt your wealth, as many of them do.
"(Don't) worry so much about going out to the club, but stay at home more," advised Carson. "If you're going to have a good time, have parties at home. Invite your friends over as opposed to going out. Reduce your profile. Ease up on the bling, so that people don't see it and say 'I want it' and they stick a gun in your face and they want to take it from you."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-03-2008 @ 4:34PM
giant fan since 57 said...
A case can be made that the Giants are doing the best thing they can do for him by taking this action, rather than out and out cutting him.
Everything I've heard from Coughlin and many of Plaxico's teammates has been supportive of him as a human being. That doesn't mean there won't or shouldn't be consequences for his indiscrestions. Let's face it, he ignored countless fines and continued to flaunt team rules, and it is obvious he broke the law. To take him back unconditionally would be a big mistake.
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 5:03PM
Dennis said...
I have to say that Harry Carson's remarks come as a surprise to me. Harry displayed Nothing but courage and class during his tenure as a Giant. In my personal opinion Harry Carson was overlooked and underappreciated as a Giant and as a Linebacker. I understand that he wants to support Plax but at the same time I think that he should understand and agree with the fact that the Giants should cutt all ties with this guy now and get rid of him. He has shown Zero class and appreciation to the Giants in his tenure and the time is now to get rid of him. He is obviously not a good character person and that should mean something. Plax has all the talent in the world but I am sick and tired of spoiled athletes and I am glad when the team stands up and gets rid of them.
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 5:57PM
gdizzle320 said...
i do agree with cason i think the giants need to stick by him, and try to help him
Carson was a great Giant and the Fact that his Number is not hanging from the Rafters is a sin
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 11:07PM
jimbo said...
I think the Giants had to do what they did if not then the league would have done the same. I still think that his teammates should stand by him in this time of need. He made a MISTAKE. We all make MISTAKES and he needs to own up to it and hopefully he will learn from this. I am an Eagle fan and we had T.O. who tried to rip our team apart and the T.O. should have been kicked off the team as for Plax I think this will make him grow up fast and I wish him the best.
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 6:56PM
MJ said...
I agree with Carson 1000%. What purpose does it serve to cut Burress, other than handing the Redskins or God forbid that Cowboys a starting wide reciever. The Giants have meted out their punishment, which I am in total agreement with. If Burress gets through the legal stuff OK, and he probably will, I would welcome him back with open arms and a probationary period. Even guys like Pacman Jones and Ray Lewis get chance after chance. The guy made a stupid and immature mistake for which he is now paying a costly lesson. I think he learns from and and in the end will be a better man for it.
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 8:01PM
Sports Fan said...
Its all about consequences. I feel bad for the wife and son who may be bankrupt if/when Plax is jailed and he blew all the money ahead of time. Michael Vick can tell you.
Reply
12-03-2008 @ 10:33PM
lori said...
I'm glad to see that a pro team is making a swift decision regarding another major pain in the----- athlete. Hellooooo, he broke the law, end of story. The NFL should have a stupidity clause in their contracts.
Reply
12-04-2008 @ 2:41PM
Curt said...
This is typical of the DELETED Felon League. If you don't hold people accountable they repeat their actions over and over again. Does the name Pacman ring a bell. 14 times in trouble with the law in 6 years because team mates " stand behind him" and support him.
Reply
12-04-2008 @ 8:39AM
Tony said...
I couldn't agree with Harry more. There is a web site that is collecting support emails for Plaxico: saveplax.com
Reply
12-05-2008 @ 6:38PM
johntall said...
Thank God for Roger Goddell (sp?)! At least some one is willing to stand up to these spoiled rotten pieces of dung and make them accountable for THEIR conduct. Maybe if their parents and friends had done the smae they would not be the wortless punks that they are!
Reply