In case you have not heard, Superbowl champion and former New York Giant and Pittsburgh Steeler Plaxico Burress plead guilty today to brandishing an unregistered firearm. The plea likely means a 2 year sentence for the wide receiver. Legal experts say with good behavior, he'll be out in 20 months.
There are two major mistakes Burress has already committed. Obviously brandishing the weapon was the first mistake. Defending one's self is fine, but you know the easiest way is stay home. Second easiest? Hire professional help. The second mistake is the rumor that he was offered a sweetheart deal of a six month sentence. Yes, he would have missed part or all of the 2009 season, but that's happening now anyways.
Looking at mistake #2, we can't help but compare it to two other NFL players plagued by criminal activity. Michael Vick could have been in jail for a long long time. But after facing the cards, he and his legal team realized his best chance at post conviction NFL career was to plead guilty and take his medicine as soon as possible. Even Donte Stallworth, who killed a man while driving, knew he was stuck in a corner. He pled guilty as well and got a month worth of jail time. Of course Commissioner Roger Goodell imposed a stronger sentence by suspending Stallworth for the entire 2009 season.
If Burress is smart, he would ask for an earlier sentencing date. Currently set for September 22, he should take the next week to get his house in order for his stay in prison and get in as soon as possible. Vick turned himself in early to get his sentence out of the way. It worked to his advantage as he was out in time to join the Philadelphia Eagles during the preseason and play for part of 2009. That was probably part of Stallworth's plan as well. If Burress can get himself sentenced and in prison soon, he could be out in late April/early May 2011, just after the draft, in time for teams to evaluate their free agent needs. Goodell as already stated that Burress can sign with a team once his prison term is over.
So Plaxico Burress, as a warning from the public, don't make mistake #3. Get in and get out as soon as possible so maybe you can play another year or two in 2011.
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