Plaxico Burress#Accidental shooting

Plaxico Burress was born to Vicki Burress in Norfolk, Virginia. He was named after his uncle, has two brothers, and has been married to Tiffany Glenn since July 2005.{{cite web |url=http://ballerwives.com/2009/06/16/nfl-plaxico-buresss-wife-tiffany-glenn-son-elijah/ |title=Plaxico Buress' Wife Tiffany Glenn |publisher=Ballers Wives |access-date=July 30, 2014 |archive-date=July 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709091624/http://ballerwives.com/2009/06/16/nfl-plaxico-buresss-wife-tiffany-glenn-son-elijah/ |url-status=dead }} They have one son, Elijah{{cite web |url=http://www.giants.com/team/player128.html |title=Plaxico Burress |publisher=New York Giants |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221014308/http://www.giants.com/team/player128.html |archive-date=December 21, 2008 }} and a daughter, Giovanna, born November 2009. Burress graduated from Green Run High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia in 1996 and spent a post-graduate year at Fork Union Military Academy in Fork Union, Virginia. He lives in Totowa, New Jersey.{{cite web |last=Hollander |first=Dave |url=http://sports.aol.com/voices/hollander/_a/burress-ready-to-discover-old-world/20071025133809990001 |title=Burress Ready to Discover Old World |work=Sports.aol.com |date=October 25, 2007 |access-date=December 5, 2008}} His son [https://fightingirish.com/roster/elijah-burress/ Elijah] was rated a four-star receiver by 247Sports and ESPN, and he plays at Notre Dame.

Burress set a Big Ten Conference single-season record by catching 65 passes in his first season at Michigan State, and also excelled on the special-teams coverage units, using his leaping ability as a kick blocker.

He ranks fifth in career touchdown catches (20), and eighth in receiving yards (2,155) in just two seasons at Michigan State University. He was an All-American second-team selection by SportsPage.com and an All-Big Ten Conference first-team pick in 1999. Burress broke the school season-record he set in 1998 (65 catches) with 66 receptions for 1,142 yards (17.3 avg) and 12 touchdowns. He set a Spartans' single-season-record 12 touchdown receptions, eclipsing the previous record of eight Burress shared (1998) with Andre Rison (1988) and Bob Carey (1949). He forced two fumbles, recovered another, and registered seven tackles (five solos) on special teams.

Burress set a school record with 255 yards receiving on ten catches against the University of Michigan. He ended his career with a school-record 13 receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns against the University of Florida in the 2000 Citrus Bowl.

He also broke the single-game record of 12 receptions set by tight end Mitch Lyons in 1992. In 1996, he caught 33 passes for 807 yards (24.5 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. Burress was an All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection in 1998 by The Sports Network, and he earned second-team accolades from the league's media. He shared Spartan Outstanding Underclass Back Award honors with tailback Sedrick Irvin and wide receiver Gari Scott. Also, he started All Year at split end and set a school season-record with 65 receptions, topping the previous mark of 60 catches by Courtney Hawkins in 1989. He had more than 100 yards receiving in four games and was ranked third in the conference with an average of 84.4 yards per game and fifth in the conference with an average of 5.4 catches per game. He recorded six solo tackles and forced a fumble on special teams.

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| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=263&DraftYear=2000 |title=2000 NFL Draft Scout Plaxico Burress College Football Profile |access-date=May 31, 2023 |website=DraftScout.com}}{{Cite web |url=https://nflcombineresults.com/playerpage.php?i=4734 |title=Plaxico Burress, Combine Results, WR - Michigan State |website=nflcombineresults.com |access-date=May 31, 2023}}

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After being selected in the first round with the eighth overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft, Burress went on to play five years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, amassing 261 receptions for 4,164 yards, 22 touchdowns, and six fumbles over the span of 71 games.{{Cite web |title=2000 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2000/draft.htm |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Burress was featured on the MTV show True Life, documenting his rookie season.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/detail/tv-show.aspx?tvobjectid=194517&more=ucepisodelist&episodeid=2870125 |title=True Life Episode Guide 2001 - I'm an NFL Rookie |publisher=TVGuide.com |access-date=October 30, 2012}} His rookie season saw him on the wrong end of one of the NFL's most infamous gaffes.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=celebrations/080916 |title=Page 2: Football celebrations gone wrong |work=ESPN.com |access-date=August 23, 2017}}

In a game the Steelers eventually won 24–13, Burress caught a 19-yard reception, with his momentum causing him to fall to his knees. The rookie Burress then spiked the ball, believing the play was dead (since that is the rule in the NCAA but not the NFL) but, since he was not touched while he was on the ground, the ball was still live—allowing the Jaguars' Danny Clark to recover the fumble and run 44 yards with it.

He first broke the 1,000-yard mark in his second season, gaining 1,008 yards on 66 receptions. Burress's best season with the Steelers came in 2002, when he set his career highs for receptions (78) and yards (1,325), to go along with seven touchdowns. Burress's 1,008-yard season in 2001, combined with Hines Ward's 1,003 receiving yards, gave the Steelers their first pair of 1,000-yard receivers.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/steelers/2002-11-12-burress_x.htm | title=Burress reaches for potential |work=USA Today |last=Pedulla |first=Tom |date=November 12, 2002 |access-date=September 24, 2008}} The two would combine to accomplish the same feat in 2002.{{cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/players/hinesward/careerstats?id=WAR179227 |title=Hines Ward: Career Stats |work=NFL.com |access-date=September 24, 2008}}

In 2002, Burress appeared in all 16 regular season games and caught a career high 78 passes. On November 10, 2002, Burress took advantage of an extra 15 minutes of play to set a Steelers' franchise record with 253 receiving yards in a 34–34 tie against the Atlanta Falcons. He caught nine passes and scored two touchdowns in the game, and nearly won it but was stopped at the 1-yard line as time expired. Also in 2002, Burress played in his first career playoff game, accumulating six receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. He finished the season with another career high 1,325 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.{{cite web | title=Plaxico Burress Career Stats | website=ESPN | date=2024-11-24 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/2139/plaxico-burress | access-date=2024-11-24}}

He finished 2003 catching 60 passes for 860 yards and four touchdowns as the Steelers went 6-10 and missed the playoffs.{{cite web | title=Plaxico Burress 2003 Game Log | website=StatMuse | date=2003-12-28 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/plaxico-burress-2840/game-log?seasonYear=2003 | access-date=2024-11-24}} In 2004, Burress caught 35 passes on 60 targets for 698 yards and 5 touchdowns through the regular season.{{cite web | title=Plaxico Burress 2004 Game Log | website=StatMuse | date=2005-01-23 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/player/plaxico-burress-2840/game-log?seasonYear=2004 | access-date=2024-11-24}} He got his first career playoff win when the Steelers defeated the New York Jets in the AFC Divisional playoff game 20-17. During the game, he caught two passes on seven targets for 28 yards.{{cite web | title=Jets 17-20 Steelers (Jan 15, 2005) | website=StatMuse | date=2005-01-15 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/1-15-2005-nyj-at-pit-12527 | access-date=2024-11-24}} He scored a touchdown in his first and only AFC Championship appearance on a seven yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger as the Steelers ended their season losing to eventual Super Bowl champions the New England Patriots.{{cite web | title=Patriots 41-27 Steelers (Jan 23, 2005) | website=StatMuse | date=2005-01-23 | url=https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/game/1-23-2005-ne-at-pit-12531 | access-date=2024-11-24}}

File:!Plax0.JPG champions parade in NYC]]

On January 23, 2005, after a playoff defeat, Burress announced his intentions to leave the Steelers. On March 17, he signed a six-year, $25 million contract with the New York Giants.{{cite news|url=http://giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=6058|title=Giants Sign WR Plaxico Burress|last=Eisen|first=Michael|date=March 18, 2005|work=Giants.com|access-date=November 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204064244/http://giants.com/news/eisen/story.asp?story_id=6058|archive-date=December 4, 2008|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

In his first season with the Giants, Burress caught 76 passes for 1,214 yards, helping the team earn an 11–5 record and first place in the NFC East as well as the NFC's fourth seed. However, they were shut out 23–0 by the Carolina Panthers in the opening round of the 2005–06 NFL playoffs.

In the 2006 season, Burress managed a career-high ten touchdowns but fell short of the 1,000-yard mark, appearing in only 15 games and struggling with a groin injury for much of the year. The Giants lost six of their last eight games and fell in the NFC Wild Card playoffs to the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles 23–20. Burress had a touchdown catch on the opening drive and finished the game with five receptions for 89 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2007, Burress was the Giants' top receiver with 70 receptions for 1,025 yards, despite not practicing all season because of his ailing ankle. He also set a franchise playoff record in the NFC title game in Green Bay with 11 receptions for 154 yards as the Giants advanced to Super Bowl XLII.

In Super Bowl XLII, Burress caught the game-winning touchdown pass that made the score 17–14 in the Giants' favor over the undefeated (18–0) New England Patriots. He gained a measure of "Super Bowl legend" by predicting the Patriots would lose by the score 23–17.{{cite news |url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/ussports/story/0,,2252075,00.html |last=Ashdown | first=John |title=New England Patriots 14–17 New York Giants |date=February 4, 2008 |access-date=February 27, 2008 |work=The Guardian | location=London}}

Before their May mini-camp, Burress and his teammates were invited by then-President George W. Bush to the White House on April 30, 2008, to honor their victory in Super Bowl XLII.{{cite web|url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2008/04/20080430-6.html|title=President Bush Welcomes Super Bowl XLII Champion New York Giants to White House|author=Office of the Press Secretary|work=The White House|access-date=April 30, 2008|date=April 30, 2008}}

Just before the start of the Giants' mandatory May mini-camp, Burress had said that he would not participate in the camp because he was upset with his contract.{{cite news|url=http://blog.nj.com/ledgergiants/2008/06/burress_holding_out_in_contrac.html|title=Burress sitting out in contract dispute|last=Garafolo|first=Mike|date=June 11, 2008|work=The Star-Ledger|access-date=November 30, 2008}} He attended the camp to avoid paying a fine but refused to practice with the team. Although he was slated to receive $3.25 million for 2008, Burress felt underpaid compared to other star receivers.{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/06112008/sports/giants/plaxico_says_he_wont_practice_115055.htm|title=Plaxico says he Won't Practice; Upset Over Contract, Giants Receiver Claims it's a 'Business Decision'|last=Schwartz|first=Paul|date=June 11, 2008|work=New York Post|access-date=November 30, 2008}} After indicating that he might hold out training camp as well, he joined, but practiced very little, claiming his ankle was injured.{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/trainingcamp08/news/story?id=3508532 |title=Burress says ankle injury, not contract, keeping him from practice |date=July 29, 2008 |work=ESPN.com |publisher=Associated Press |access-date=November 30, 2008}}

In September 2008, Burress did not show up for work on a Monday and could not be reached by phone for two days. On September 24, 2008, the team announced that Burress would be suspended for the game on October 5 for a violation of team rules.Vacchiano, Ralph (September 24, 2008). [https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/giants-suspend-plaxico-burress-game-violating-team-rules-article-1.320941 "Giants suspend Plaxico Burress for one game for violating team rules"]. Daily News (New York). Retrieved April 23, 2019.

This was not the first time that Burress had been temporarily suspended by an NFL team—in May 2004, he was suspended by the Pittsburgh Steelers for failing to show up for a Monday team practice. On October 24 he was issued four fines totaling $60,000 for the following reasons:

1. $20,000 for post-game comments regarding officiating—specifically, inappropriate comments on officiating.
2. $20,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct—specifically, verbal abuse of the head linesman.
3. $5,000 for throwing the ball in the stands.
4. $15,000 for slapping a referee in the face.

File:Plaxico Burress Sept 2008.jpg

Burress signed a five-year, $35 million contract extension prior to the season. However, it was an incentive-laced deal, with $11.5 million in non-guaranteed base salaries in the contract, non-guaranteed roster bonuses of $3.5 million, non-guaranteed escalators of $5 million based on performance and $1.3 million in non-guaranteed workout bonuses among other things. According to various reports, the Giants would be able to cut or trade Burress after the season and get $23 million taken off their books.Schwartz, Paul. (December 2, 2008).[http://www.nypost.com/seven/12022008/sports/giants/burress_deal_has_loopholes_141844.htm BURRESS DEAL HAS LOOPHOLES] New York Post. Retrieved May 15, 2009.

On November 2, in the second quarter of the Giants' ninth regular-season game against the Dallas Cowboys, Burress caught his 500th career reception. On November 23, 2008, Burress started the game against the Arizona Cardinals in Arizona after being considered questionable with a hamstring injury. The first play of the game he had a 4-yard reception but it was called back on a penalty. Burress left the game and did not return in what would be his final appearance with the Giants.

Burress was released by the Giants on April 3, 2009, when it was apparent his accidental shooting court case would take longer than expected to resolve.{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/04/giants-cut-plaxico-burress.html |title=Giants cut WR Plaxico Burress |access-date=April 3, 2009 |location=New York |work=Daily News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090404212036/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2009/04/giants-cut-plaxico-burress.html |archive-date=April 4, 2009 }}

File:FullSizeRenderNEWYORKJETSPLAXICO.jpg

Burress agreed to a one-year contract worth approximately $3.017 million guaranteed with the New York Jets on July 31, 2011, after turning down a two-year deal from the Pittsburgh Steelers that was rumored to be valued at a little more than the Jets offer but without as much guaranteed money.{{cite web|title=Sources: Plaxico Burress, Jets agree |url=https://www.espn.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/6820679/plaxico-burress-new-york-jets-agree-one-year-deal-sources-say |publisher=ESPN New York |author=Cimini, Rich |date=July 31, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107032808/http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/6820679/plaxico-burress-new-york-jets-agree-one-year-deal-sources-say |archive-date=November 7, 2012 |access-date=July 31, 2011 |url-status=live }} In his first game back in New York at MetLife Stadium in a pre-season matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, Burress caught a pass from Mark Sanchez on the first play of the Jets' first drive, and in the second quarter caught a touchdown pass. On October 23, 2011, in a game against the San Diego Chargers Burress caught three touchdown passes from Sanchez, tying a game career high.

Burress re-signed with the Steelers on November 20, 2012, after injuries sustained by Jerricho Cotchery and Antonio Brown.[http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/steelers/its-official-steelers-sign-burress-add-qb-662942/ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]{{cite web|work=NFL.com|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/plaxico-burress-signs-contract-with-pittsburgh-steelers-0ap1000000098239|title=Plaxico Burress signs contract with Pittsburgh Steelers|first=Dan|last=Hanzus|date=November 20, 2012|access-date=November 20, 2012}} On December 30, 2012, Burress caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Burress had not caught a touchdown from Roethlisberger since 2004. On March 12, 2013, Burress signed a one-year deal to stay with the Steelers.{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/plax-extends-stay-steelers-2013-season-article-1.1286398 | title=Plax extends stay with Steelers | work=Daily News | location=New York}} He suffered a torn rotator cuff during a practice on August 8;{{Cite web|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/08/burress-has-torn-rotator-cuff-could-be-done-for-the-year/|title=Burress has torn rotator cuff, could be done for the year|date=August 9, 2013}} on August 13, Burress was placed on the injured reserve list by the Steelers.{{cite web |url=http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-Place-Burress-on-ReserveInjured-List/55b250b1-0931-444f-863b-71de99930836 |title=Steelers Place Burress on Reserve/Injured List |date=August 13, 2013 |website=Steelers.com |access-date=August 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815085423/http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Steelers-Place-Burress-on-ReserveInjured-List/55b250b1-0931-444f-863b-71de99930836 |archive-date=August 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

{{cite web|title=Plaxico Burress|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BurrPl00.htm|publisher=Pro Football Reference|access-date=January 20, 2024}}

On July 22, 2017, Burress was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as a coaching intern.{{cite web | title=Former New York Giants WR Plaxico Burress hired as Arizona Cardinals coaching intern | work=upi.com | url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/NFL/2017/07/22/Former-New-York-Giants-WR-Plaxico-Burress-hired-as-Arizona-Cardinals-coaching-intern/6071500730636/ |access-date=July 22, 2017}}

In August and September 2008, Totowa police responded to two domestic disturbance calls at the Burress residence. At both times temporary restraining orders were issued that were later dismissed by the New Jersey state court.{{cite web|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/Cops_Burress_involved_in_domestic_disputes.html |title=Exclusive: Burress involved in domestic disputes |work=The Record (Bergen County) |date=September 24, 2008 |access-date=November 16, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928060324/http://www.northjersey.com/news/Cops_Burress_involved_in_domestic_disputes.html |archive-date=September 28, 2008 }}

On November 28, 2008, Burress suffered an accidental, self-inflicted gunshot wound to his right thigh at the nightclub LQ on Lexington Avenue in New York City when his Glock pistol in the pocket of his jeans began sliding down his leg; apparently in reaching for his gun, he inadvertently pulled the trigger, causing the gun to fire.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122835270947177981 |title=Free Plaxico Burress|last=Kopel|first=David|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=February 15, 2009 | date=December 4, 2008}}{{cite web |url=http://manhattanda.org/press-release/district-attorney-morgenthau-announces-indictment-former-new-york-giants-receiver-weap |title=Press Releases | The New York County District Attorney's Office |publisher=Manhattanda.org |access-date=October 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505144636/http://manhattanda.org/press-release/district-attorney-morgenthau-announces-indictment-former-new-york-giants-receiver-weap |archive-date=May 5, 2012 |url-status=dead }} The injury was not life-threatening and Burress was released from an area hospital the next afternoon.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/29/AR2008112902098.html?hpid=moreheadlines|title=Burress Accidentally Shoots Himself in Leg|last=Maske|first=Mark|date=November 30, 2008|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=November 30, 2008}} Two days later, Burress turned himself in to police to face charges of criminal possession of a handgun.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/01/sports/football/01burress.html?hpid=moreheadlines| title=Burress Will Surrender to Authorities on Monday|date=November 30, 2008|work=The New York Times| access-date=November 30, 2008 | first=Juliet | last=Macur}} It was later discovered that New York City police only learned about the incident after seeing it on television and were not called by NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital as required by law. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the hospital actions an "outrage" and stated that they are a "chargeable offense". Bloomberg also urged that Burress be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, saying that any punishment short of the minimum {{frac|3|1|2}} years for unlawful carrying of a handgun would be "a mockery of the law."{{cite news |url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/12012008/news/regionalnews/plax_turns_himself_in_141719.htm |title=Bloomberg slams Burress for shooting cover-up |first=Laura |last=Italiano |date=December 1, 2008 |access-date=December 2, 2008 |work=The New York Post |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203170703/http://www.nypost.com/seven/12012008/news/regionalnews/plax_turns_himself_in_141719.htm |archive-date=December 3, 2008 }}{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/sports/football/02burress.html|title=Plaxico Burress Surrenders to Police |last=Macur|first=Juliet|date=December 1, 2008|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 1, 2008}} Burress had an expired concealed carry license from Florida, but no New York license.

On December 2, 2008, Burress posted bail of $100,000.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/football/nfl/la-sp-nflrep2-2008dec02,0,3249369.story |title=Plaxico Burress posts bail as New York Giants weigh options |work=Los Angeles Times |date= December 2, 2008|access-date=December 4, 2008}} Later in the day, Burress reported to Giants Stadium as per team policy for injured but active players and was told he would be suspended without payLaPointe, Joe. [https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/sports/football/03burress.html "Giants Say Burress’s Season Is Over"], The New York Times, December 2, 2008. for the remaining four games of the 2008 regular season for conduct detrimental to the team. In addition, the Giants placed Burress on their reserve/non-football injury list,Associated Press. [https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3738905 Giants suspend Burress four games in wake of weapons charges]. ESPN, December 2, 2008. meaning he was ineligible to return for the playoffs. Burress was also scheduled to receive $1 million from his signing bonus on December 10, 2008, initially withheld by the team.[http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/ny-spplaxbox035950394dec03,0,2714713.story "Non-football injury list protects Giants"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206050514/http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/ny-spplaxbox035950394dec03,0,2714713.story |date=December 6, 2008 }}. New York Newsday, December 3, 2008. The NFL Players Association filed a grievance, saying the team violated the collective bargaining agreement and challenging the suspension and fine received by Burress.[https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3758117 "NFLPA files grievance challenging Burress' suspension, fine."] ESPN. December 10, 2008. A Special Master in arbitration subsequently ruled that the Giants must deliver the entire $1 million to Burress, as per the collective bargaining agreement. "To think that a player could carry a loaded gun into a nightclub, shoot himself and miss the rest of the season but get to keep his entire signing bonus illustrates one of the serious flaws in the current system," said Giants co-owner John Mara in a statement afterward.{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2009/04/06/2009-04-06_plaxico_burress_beats_giants_in_court_wi.html | location=New York |work=Daily News| first1=Ralph | last1=Vacchiano | first2=Gary | last2=Myers | title=Plaxico Burress beats Giants in court, wide receiver grabs million bonus | date=April 6, 2009}}

On December 23, 2008, a search of Burress's New Jersey home by the Totowa, New Jersey police, the New York Police Department, and investigators from the Manhattan District Attorney turned up a 9 mm handgun, a rifle, ammunition, and the clothing believed to have been worn by Burress on the night of his shooting.[http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/12/24/burress.home.search/index.html Gun Seized in Search of NFL Player's Home], CNN.com, December 24, 2008. On June 12, 2009, Burress's attorney Benjamin Brafman announced that he had been unable to reach a sentencing agreement.{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2009/06/12/2009-06-12_plaxico_burress_case_goes_long_failure_to_reach_plea_deal_delays_exgiant_receive.html |title= Plaxico Burress case goes long: Failure to reach plea deal delays ex-Giant receiver's trial | work= Daily News | location=New York | date=June 12, 2009 | first=Melissa | last=Grace}}

Burress asked a Manhattan grand jury for sympathy during two hours of testimony on July 29, 2009.[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/nyregion/30plaxico.html "Former Giants Star Defends Himself to Grand Jury in Weapons Case"], The New York Times, July 29, 2009. On Monday, August 3, 2009, prosecutors announced that Burress had been indicted{{cite news |url=https://blogs.findlaw.com/courtside/2009/08/ex-giant-plaxico-burress-pleads-guilty-in-nyc-gun-case.html|title=Ex-Giant Plaxico Burress Pleads Guilty in N.Y.C. Gun Case|date=August 20, 2009 |last=Zand |first=Joel|work=FindLaw| access-date=September 22, 2009}} by the grand jury on two felony counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and a single count of reckless endangerment in the second degree, a misdemeanor.{{cite news|url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/03/burress-is-indicted-on-weapons-charge/?hp|title=Burress Is Indicted on Weapons Charges| last1=Eligon |first1=John| first2=Joseph |last2=Berger| work=City Room| publisher=The New York Times | date=August 3, 2009 | access-date=May 22, 2010}}{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE57256220090803?sp=true|title=Plaxico Burress indicted on weapons charges|work=Reuters|date=August 3, 2009|last1=Honan | first1= Edith| first2=Daniel |last2=Trotta}}

On August 20, 2009, Burress accepted a plea deal that would put him in prison for two years with an additional two years of supervised release. His sentencing was held on September 22, 2009. Burress hired a prison consultant to advise him on what to expect while in prison.{{cite news|url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/08222009/news/regionalnews/plaxicos_jailhouse_trainer_185965.htm| title=Plaxico's Jailhouse 'Trainer' - Hires expert to prep |date=August 22, 2009|work=New York Post |access-date=August 23, 2009 | first1=Laura | last1=Italiano | first2=Dan | last2=Mangan}} In January 2010, Burress applied for and was denied a work release from prison.{{cite news | title=No early jail release for ex-Giants star Plaxico Burress; work release request denied | date= January 7, 2010| url =http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2010/01/07/2010-01-07_exgiants_star_plaxico_burress_.html | work = Daily News | access-date = February 5, 2010 | location=New York | first1=Melissa | last1=Grace | first2=Rich | last2=Schapiro}} On June 6, 2011, Burress was released from a protective custody unit of the Oneida Correctional Facility in Rome, New York, having served 20 months.{{cite news |title=What teams are interested in signing Plaxico Burress? |url=http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/professional/what-teams-are-interested-in-signing-plaxico-burress |work=New Jersey Newsroom |first=Alicia |last=Cruz |date=May 17, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521092346/http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/professional/what-teams-are-interested-in-signing-plaxico-burress |archive-date=May 21, 2011 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/140387/former-giants-receiver-plaxico-burress-released-from-prison |title=Former Giants Receiver Plaxico Burress Released From Prison |work=NY1.com |date=June 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004094542/http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/140387/former-giants-receiver-plaxico-burress-released-from-prison |archive-date=October 4, 2012 }}

Burress had a civil lawsuit, filed on December 8, 2008, in Broward County, Florida, in which Alise Smith claimed that Burress's $140,000 Mercedes-Benz collided with the back of her car. The suit claimed that Burress was liable for causing permanent injuries to Smith. Burress's car insurance policy had been cancelled three days before the accident due to nonpayment of the premium.[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/23/sports/football/23plaxico.html Plaxico Burress Is Sued Over Car Crash] NY Times, December 22, 2008 In 2012, he was ordered to pay Smith $159,000, which he eventually did by May 2013 after a judge had ordered the sale of his mansion in Virginia Beach.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/plaxico-burress-must-release-finances-in-car-crash-judgment-09000d5d8283f2b6|title = Plaxico Burress must release finances in car-crash judgment| website=NFL.com }}{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/06/plaxico-burress-car-accident-crash-victim-lawsuit-settlement-drivers-license|title=NFL Star Plaxico Burress to Crash Victim -- Take Your Damn Money|publisher=TMZ Sports|date=May 6, 2013|access-date=March 27, 2018}}

In January 2010, Burress was the defendant in a civil lawsuit brought against him by a Lebanon County, Pennsylvania car dealer, who claimed that Burress was given a leased Chevrolet Avalanche in return for promises to appear at publicity events for the dealership. The dealer claimed that Burress never returned the car and never attended any publicity events; the damaged car was eventually returned after being impounded by the New York Police Department. Burress acknowledged that he was responsible for some of the damage to the car, but asked a jury to determine the amount.[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/01/13/burress.ap/index.html Damaged to Leased Truck Lands Burress In Court]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} SI.com, January 13, 2009 On January 15, 2009, the jury returned a verdict awarding only $1,700 to the dealer, who had asked for damages of up to $19,000.[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/football/nfl/01/14/jury.sides.with.plaxico.ap/index.html Jury Sides With Burress on Damaged Car]{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} SI.com, January 15, 2009 According to the Associated Press, Burress has been sued at least nine times since he joined the NFL in 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3895217 |title=Burress has string of debtor lawsuits |publisher=ESPN |date=February 9, 2009 |access-date=October 30, 2012}}

{{Update|section|date=September 2022}}

On April 30, 2015, Burress was indicted by the State of New Jersey on charges that he failed to pay nearly $48,000 in income taxes. Burress filed his 2013 state income tax return on October 20, 2014, for which he submitted an electronic transfer. According to the State Division of Taxation, the transfer failed to go through. Burress was notified multiple times in an attempt to collect the tax debt, including via certified mail, but never responded. The indictment made him the first person in New Jersey to be charged under a new state law which treats bad electronic money transfers as a criminal offense, equivalent to writing bad checks.{{cite news|title=Plaxico Burress Indicted in New Jersey on Tax Charges|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/01/sports/football/plaxico-burress-indicted-in-new-jersey-on-tax-charges.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 30, 2015|access-date=December 10, 2015}}

On December 7, 2015, Burress entered into a plea agreement in a hearing at Mercer County Superior Court, admitting guilt in failure to pay $46,000 in taxes on his 2013 tax return (a year in which he earned $1 million in income.){{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/14314028|title=Plaxico Burress pleads guilty to tax evasion|website=espn.com|date=December 7, 2015|access-date=September 17, 2019}} Burress faced up to 5 years' probation at his February 5, 2016 sentencing hearing. He received a conditional 364-day jail sentence, was placed on probation for five years, and ordered to repay $56,000 in penalties and restitution to the state by Judge Pedro Jimenez in Mercer County Superior Court. He will not go to jail if he follows his conditions of probation. Although he avoided prison time by pleading guilty, failure to pay the amount in full by the conclusion of his probation could result in Burress's incarceration.{{cite web|title=Former Giant, Jet Plaxico Burress pleads guilty to tax evasion and now waits on sentencing|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/plaxico-burress-faces-year-jail-tax-evasion-article-1.2457731|website=nydailynews.com|date=December 7, 2015 }}

Burress, co-wrote the book Giant: The Road to the Super Bowl ({{ISBN|978-0-06-169574-2}}), published July 1, 2008 by It Books, about his Super Bowl experience.

Burress appeared on Celebrity Wife Swap on July 29, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://abc.go.com/shows/celebrity-wife-swap/episode-guide/season-03/313-dj-paulplaxico-burress |title=Celebrity Wife Swap Episode 313 D.J. Paul/Plaxico Burress|publisher=ABC|access-date=April 23, 2019}} Burress joined SportsNet, New York's SportsNite, making his debut as an NFL analyst on Sunday September 7, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://giants.247sports.com/Bolt/Plaxico-Burress-SNYs-Newest-NFL-Analyst-30880062 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140911114131/http://giants.247sports.com/Bolt/Plaxico-Burress-SNYs-Newest-NFL-Analyst-30880062 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 11, 2014 |title=Plaxico Burress SNY's Newest NFL Analyst|publisher=247sports.com}}

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Category:1977 births

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