Plaxico Burress Out of Prison and Ready To Play

After nearly two years in prison, former Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants star Plaxico Burress is again a free man and ready to play some more football. Assuming that the NFL Lockout is eventually resolved, Burress’ agent Drew Rosenhaus, who greeted him with open arms and smiles on Monday when he was released from a New York state prison, says that Burress is absolutely ready to play and will be a top free agent. Plaxico was put behind bars after the infamous incident in a Manhattan nightclub where he accidentally shot himself with his own gun, which he was illegally carrying. His Florida license to carry had expired and he had not applied for a New York permit. Most people agree that his sentence was exaggerated due to the fact that he was a high profile professional athlete, where many people who commit more heinous crimes, that is, crimes committed against other people, say, spend less time behind bars.

While this receiver was previously known for his arrogant swagger and blatant disrespect towards the law, and at the end, his disrespect for the Giants franchise, Burress came out of prison with a much different attitude, possibly reflecting a new perspective on life after his time in prison:

“I’d like to thank everybody for their prayers and words of encouragement. I’d like to thank all my fans all around the world for the thousands of letters, for their unwavering support. As far as football is concerned, if and when everything gets settled, when they get back on the field, I’ll be ready.”

Of course, this is just the beginning, and while Burress may have been given a second chance, there’s no telling whether it will amount to anything on the field yet. And while he may have worked out 4 days a week during his sentence, and looked like it when he was released, his age is definitely a concern for the future of his career. Being 34 already, Plaxico of all people can’t afford a lockout season, as the clock is ticking on his physical abilities to be able to perform like he used to. He may be able to follow the Michael Vick second chance comeback plan to reinstate his athletic career; however, Vick was five years younger when he got his second chance, which may or may not be a factor.

Speaking of Vick, the former dog-fighter also had some words for Burress upon his release:

“It would be a great addition for out team” Vick told WIP Radio in Philadelphia. “I think we can fit him in and make it work.”

The thought of Vick and Burress being on the same team is quite interesting: two former inmates, who also happen to be two of the most talented players to have come through the NFL, playing together and carrying the Eagles to a Superbowl would be an epic story of ex-con all-star comeback kids for Philadelphia. Both were previously known for their arrogance and conflicts on and off the field, and hopefully they both can equally show how even people who commit serious felonies can be reformed and rebuilt through sport.

But for now, Plaxico is ready to get back to his wife and two children (his second child was born while he was behind bars in 2009) and re-settle in with them. Clearly, there’s a long road ahead for Burress both personally and professionally, and we all wish him the best of luck in his second chance endeavors. Just another reason this lockout should end.