Poor Plaxico Burress. The New York Giants wide receiver shot himself in the leg at a New York nightclub and ended up injured, suspended and facing charges that could land him in prison.
And geez, all he was trying to do was protect himself from trouble.
Burress is an extraordinarily talented, filthy rich 31-year-old, a combination that makes him well -loved and well-hated, depending on one’s point of view and football loyalty. Rich guys like him are the target of any number of criminals, con men, crazy fans and opportunistic acquaintances.
Burress’ teammate, Steve Smith, recently was robbed at gunpoint. Sheldon Smith of the Los Angeles Kings was carjacked at gunpoint a year ago. Houston Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson was the victim of a home invasion robbery in September 2007.
Those incidents, and the shooting death of Sean Taylor during a break-in at his home a year ago, are evidence of the hazards of wealth and fame in sports.
There is no doubt that professional athletes feel threatened. Some have been threatened. Some have friends who have been shot, robbed, killed. It is perfectly understandable that they want and may need special protection.
But is that really why they bring their guns when they head out clubbing? Is that the answer to their security concerns? Did Burress need protection in the VIP section at Manhattan’s Latin Quarter? For that matter, would a gun in anyone’s pocket be helpful after someone else pulls out a gun first?
Or are these guns the latest in celebrity jewelry, just like a Gobstopper-size earring or 2-pound necklaces?
Is it because the guys have earned the right, through talent beyond our means and money we can’t even measure, to carry something denied to the rest of us?
Are their reasons good enough to convince the police or jurors to look the other way?
And are concealed weapons carried by celebrities secret? I suspect the powerful know who’s packing. The powerful know who is high enough on the food chain of importance to arm himself without worrying about those tricky little legal issues.
The National Football League encourages players not to arm themselves and specifically orders them not to bring guns to NFL stadiums. Well heck no, they don’t want any shooting in the locker rooms, for goodness sake. That’s the same kind of policy you would expect from recording companies dealing with superstar musicians. They don’t want their meal tickets to kill themselves or anyone else, but they don’t want to be too pushy with the folks funding their Christmas bonuses.
But the NFL, the Giants, other pro leagues and teams and even fans are growing weary of bad behavior. Burress hasn’t drawn much sympathy for his shenanigans, except from his agent Drew Rosenhaus.
The Giants suspended Burress for four games without pay, levied an undisclosed fine and ended his season by putting him on the injury list. The financial punishment, including a potential loss of a part of his signing bonus, is estimated at more than $2 million. He likely has played his last game for the Giants. On top of that, the illegal weapons possession charges he faces carry penalties of three to 15 years in prison.
And the NFL likely will impose a punishment for violating league conduct rules.
Burress is no first-time problem child. He already was suspended for a game for missing a team meeting and has been fined loads of times since joining the Giants in 2005. He was fined $45,000 earlier this season. This time, he incurred the wrath of the New York police department and Giants fans.
Guns have become status symbols in celebrity nation. They signal that the owner has something that other people covet. They may claim that it’s their fine clothes or car of jewels that they need to protect.
But what Burress actually possesses is amazing ability. What is most admired isn’t his money, but the talent it takes to score the winning Super Bowl touchdown.
Burress is the latest sad example of a superstar who’s not satisfied with crossing the goal line, and instead needs to cross the line of the law. These guys’ bosses, teammates and fans are growing weary of it. Some will continue to get away with their behavior, but the list of those who don’t is growing. Just ask Mike Tyson, Michael Vick and O.J. Simpson.
