Man. So I finally have a chance to write and this is what I'm given? You mean another football player shoots himself in the legfoot and potentially ruins his career?
Football is an unforgiving sport for a lot of reasons. One, the contracts are not guaranteed. Two, the playing-life span is incredibly short. And three, your career can end in a matter of moments. Unfortunately for several players in recent years, it's not just because of the hard hits.
It's amazing to me how your whole life can change in an instant. If you think back, there are probably only one or two pivotal moments in your life where if things had gone differently, you would not be where you are today (for better or for worse). The tough part is that you never know until it happens when you're having one of those moments.
So here we have Plaxico Burress - and potentially Antonio Pierce - who shot himself in a night club. Allegedly, the gun fell out of his pant leg after it accidentally went off, and Pierece tried to help him hide it - which seems to suggest they knew he wasn't supposed to have it. Considering that Plax's not even walking with a limp, this wouldn't have been so bad if not for the fact that he allegedly had an expired, out of state (this latter fact is all that matters in NY) permit for the gun. Now, he's being charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon that carry a minimum sentence of 3.5 years per count.
Here's my lawyer break down for those who want to know: Under New York law, he could be found guilty if the prosecution can prove that he knowingly possessed a loaded firearm with intent to use the firearm unlawfully against another (one count) or if it can be proven that he knowingly possessed a loaded firearm outside of his home or place of business (second count).
Well, Burress did one smart thing: He hired the lawyer who got Sean "Diddy" Combs off on his night club weapon charges. That lawyer is Ben Brafman, a.k.a. this generation's Johnnie Cochran.
From what I know of the facts, I don't really see the first charge sticking. Was he really trying to hurt someone else? I don't see this being proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The second one seems more uncertain. Although Mayor Bloomberg is talking big talk, I believe in this Brafman guy, and I'm not sure that this should be the "set the example" case that the mayor would like it to be. That law is pretty tough on its face with its minimum 3.5 year sentence, and this is not really the type of situation it was meant to prevent. Talk about adding insult to injury.
Alright, kids, this one is not quite the same as the Michael Vick situation, because I understand the need to carry a weapon when you're a high profile athlete out and about, and this wasn't a case of hanging out with the wrong crowd (unless being bad for your own health counts). But there is still a huge lesson to be learned. If you're carrying a weapon outside of the state where you got your permit, you really ought to know the laws because every state (and even some cities within a state) is different, and it's quite likely that you'll end up in a situation like this one, even if you don't literally shoot yourself in the process.
Football is an unforgiving sport for a lot of reasons. One, the contracts are not guaranteed. Two, the playing-life span is incredibly short. And three, your career can end in a matter of moments. Unfortunately for several players in recent years, it's not just because of the hard hits.
It's amazing to me how your whole life can change in an instant. If you think back, there are probably only one or two pivotal moments in your life where if things had gone differently, you would not be where you are today (for better or for worse). The tough part is that you never know until it happens when you're having one of those moments.
So here we have Plaxico Burress - and potentially Antonio Pierce - who shot himself in a night club. Allegedly, the gun fell out of his pant leg after it accidentally went off, and Pierece tried to help him hide it - which seems to suggest they knew he wasn't supposed to have it. Considering that Plax's not even walking with a limp, this wouldn't have been so bad if not for the fact that he allegedly had an expired, out of state (this latter fact is all that matters in NY) permit for the gun. Now, he's being charged with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon that carry a minimum sentence of 3.5 years per count.
Here's my lawyer break down for those who want to know: Under New York law, he could be found guilty if the prosecution can prove that he knowingly possessed a loaded firearm with intent to use the firearm unlawfully against another (one count) or if it can be proven that he knowingly possessed a loaded firearm outside of his home or place of business (second count).
Well, Burress did one smart thing: He hired the lawyer who got Sean "Diddy" Combs off on his night club weapon charges. That lawyer is Ben Brafman, a.k.a. this generation's Johnnie Cochran.
From what I know of the facts, I don't really see the first charge sticking. Was he really trying to hurt someone else? I don't see this being proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The second one seems more uncertain. Although Mayor Bloomberg is talking big talk, I believe in this Brafman guy, and I'm not sure that this should be the "set the example" case that the mayor would like it to be. That law is pretty tough on its face with its minimum 3.5 year sentence, and this is not really the type of situation it was meant to prevent. Talk about adding insult to injury.
Alright, kids, this one is not quite the same as the Michael Vick situation, because I understand the need to carry a weapon when you're a high profile athlete out and about, and this wasn't a case of hanging out with the wrong crowd (unless being bad for your own health counts). But there is still a huge lesson to be learned. If you're carrying a weapon outside of the state where you got your permit, you really ought to know the laws because every state (and even some cities within a state) is different, and it's quite likely that you'll end up in a situation like this one, even if you don't literally shoot yourself in the process.
The other lesson here is that nothing "good" happens when you're out after 1 a.m. You can continue to stay out later all you want . . . just know this is true, especially if you're married with children. And if your wife and child are going to be affected by your actions, then all I'd ask is that you please think three times (once for you, once for her, and once for the kids) before you decide to take a risk. It's probably not worth it.
I haven't even covered any potential NFL sanctions. Right now, he's facing some serious state charges, and, as with Michael Vick, what happens in the NFL will be dependent upon what happens in court. The Giants didn't seem to miss him too much on Sunday, and they will probably go on without him, although maybe with not as much "gusto."
I haven't even covered any potential NFL sanctions. Right now, he's facing some serious state charges, and, as with Michael Vick, what happens in the NFL will be dependent upon what happens in court. The Giants didn't seem to miss him too much on Sunday, and they will probably go on without him, although maybe with not as much "gusto."
And as for Antonio Pierce - well, he got to play on Sunday, and hopefully for the Giants sake he will continue to have that opportunity.
To all the other professional athletes out there - you've been warned. Again. You spend your entire life working for this dream. Don't kill it with one thoughtless decision.
Let's raise the level, folks. Our President-Elect is counting on you.
2 comments:
John Feinstein had a good point (one of his only ones) in an article in yesterdasy WaPo: If the place that you're going is so bad that you have to carry a gun to go there: Genius, DON'T GO THERE!
If as the reports are true, he told the club security that he needed his piece b/c he had a gang of jewelry on and a large wad of cash: Genius, carry a credit card, less cash, and wear less jewelry.
Everyone in NYC knows who Plaxico is, did the jewelry make him more attractive to anyone besides someone who was going to try and take it? C'mon, he already felt he could roll to the club in sweatpants, right? Did he really need the bling?
That being said, I don't agree with the Bloomberg, "make an example out of him" camp either. In reality, the ADA's are likely to offer him a lot less. You see he hasn't even been charged with any of the cover-up offenses (obstruction of justice, etc).
There is another, maybe humorous, lesson in this story: Pull your pants up! If you sag you may shoot yourself in the leg!
I'll have to refer up to my post re: Joey Porter. I agree with the "don't go there" sentiment to some extent but I don't think that gets at the whole issue, which is someone could be trying to get you no matter where you are when you keep company with unsavory folks (read: sometimes, your boys from around the way). So you may get "got" at the barber shop, your own home, or the club, depending on whom you have in your circle.
Sometimes, these guys just can't help it - you can't cut off your friends and family (I certainly wouldn't) but on the flip side, being a professional athlete requires some measure of sacrifice.
That said, I can concede that there may be some level of "duh" involved here (we still don't know the whole story) but to apply this to everyone in the league who carries a gun . . . I'm not so sure. As my papa pointed out, the law's aim is really to keep illegal guns off the street, but Plax's registration had expired for the gun in another state - although the media is treating this like he had a sawed-off shotgun. This fact could prevent the book from being thrown at him too hard.
And you're absolutely right about sagging while strapped. It's definitely bad for your health.
Post a Comment