by Clifford F. Thies

Plaxico Burroughs, a member of the great 2007-2008 New York Giants football team, who was sent to prison for accidentally shooting himself in the leg in a New York City nightclub, is back on the street and, this fall, will be back on the field, this time in the uniform of the New York Jets.

Playing hurt, he made one after another remarkable catch late in the season and during the playoffs during the Giants Superbowl season. After one after another game, in post-game interviews, he would simply thank God that he didn't let his teammates down. In an odd way, his injury - which kept him from practicing with the team during the week - may have been instrumental in the team's success, since it freed up time for David Tyree during practice sessions. Then, facing the heavily-favored New England Patriots, Eli Manning hooked up with Tyree in the miraculous "helmet catch" to keep the team's last offensive series alive and then hooked up with Burroughs for the winning touchdown.

Here's the "helmet catch" by Tyree (YouTube)

Here's the game winning touchdown pass from Manning to Burroughs (YouTube):

We know what Plaxico did was really stupid but we thought it was wrong for him to get hard time for a gun violation, when he didn't have any prior convictions. But, let's face it, sometimes you've just got to man up in this world. We wish Plaxico every success with his new team.

See previous LR article 2009 - "Plaxico 2 year sentence excessive" Photo credit - Daily News archives