Plaxico Burress: My Final Thoughts

Last night I was able to sit back with my wife and watch ESPN's E:60 interview with Plaxico Burress. I have to tell you that after watching the interview, I have a lot more sympathy for the Plaxico then I did before. What he did was dumb and he acknowledged that. I believe he also took responsibility and was very remorseful for what happened. I saw a response from Cris Carter on ESPN and he felt that Burress wasn't remorseful at all. Just by the way Carter carries himself on ESPN, totally kills his credibility with me. He carries himself in very arrogant and hard way as if he knows everything about football and life. If Carter really believes that a man who is about to miss the birth of his daughter and almost two years of his sons life isn't remorseful, then he needs to learn how to read people a little better and learn a little more about life himself. I believe most of the ESPN football analysts that are former players, are really bad at judging what is going on in the NFL. But that is a topic we will talk about another day.

The following if what I got from listening to Plaxico's interview...

• Plaxico doesn't just realize what he did was dumb but I believe he has finally "got it". He talked about his past flashing before him and all he wanted was his family and to be with them. That's when it clicked for him in my opinion. The unfortunate thing is that he has to go to jail for almost two years. Sometimes it takes situations like these for people to learn.
• Athletes have more enemies and people in their lives trying to do them harm then we realize. He talked about Steve Smith getting robbed at gun point and how Smith thought he was going to die. Also how his house was broken into numerous times. And that if someone really wants to get you, body guard or not, they will. And I agree with all he said. Honestly I don't believe anyone should own a gun. The stats show people who own guns end up getting hurt or dieing from their own weapon more often then those who don't own one. If I put myself in his shoes, I might do the same thing and own a gun. I just wouldn't bring it into a club and I believe he realizes the one small dumb thing he did by bringing it in, cost him two years of his life.
• He isn't a criminal or a "bad guy". Which leads me to agree that he is getting way to much time and only deserves maybe a maximum of three months in prison. But, the New York City DA is trying to make an example of him.
• Plax is a broken man and realizes how much he has messed up and I believe he is truly humbled by the whole situation. It would be nice if the Giants could sign him when he gets out of prison. But that would only happen in a perfect world.

I really hope Plaxico's time in prison is quick for him and that he is able to bounce back strong once he is released. May God bless his wife and children through this difficult time.

I encourage everyone to watch the interview. http://espn.go.com/video/category?id=3060647