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Plaxico Burress

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Plaxico Burress
NamePlaxico Burress
Birth date12 August 1977
Birth placeMastic Beach, New York, United States
Weight lb218
CollegeMichigan State University
PositionWide receiver
Nfl draft2000 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8
PastteamsPittsburgh Steelers (2000–2005); New York Giants (2005–2008); Oakland Raiders (2011)
HighlightsSuper Bowl XLII champion; Pro Bowl selection

Plaxico Burress is a former American professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Oakland Raiders. Known for his size, jump-ball ability, and physical play, he earned a reputation as a clutch postseason performer including a key role in the Giants' Super Bowl XLII victory. His career combined on-field achievement with high-profile off-field legal issues that received national attention.

Early life and high school

Born in Mastic Beach, New York, he grew up in Medford, New York and attended Bellport High School where he played American football and ran track. At Bellport he was a dominant receiver and track athlete, drawing interest from programs such as Michigan State University, Ohio State University, Penn State University, University of Michigan, and Florida State University. High school honors and regional scouting reports compared him to other elite prospects who later played in the National Football League, contributing to his high selection in the 2000 NFL Draft.

College career

He enrolled at Michigan State University and played for the Michigan State Spartans under coach Nick Saban before Saban left for the LSU Tigers; he later played for Bobby Williams and John L. Smith. At Michigan State he lined up as an outside receiver in offenses that faced Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State defenses. He posted notable games against rivals such as Notre Dame and Iowa, attracting attention from NFL scouts from franchises including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos, and New York Giants.

Professional career

Selected eighth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he joined a roster that included Terry Bradshaw, John Stallworth, Hines Ward, and played under head coach Bill Cowher. With the Steelers he developed alongside quarterbacks such as Kordell Stewart, Tommy Maddox, and later Ben Roethlisberger. In 2004 he was traded to the New York Giants for draft considerations, joining a franchise led by general manager Ernie Accorsi and head coach Tom Coughlin. In New York he teamed with receivers like Amani Toomer and tight ends such as Jeremy Shockey, catching touchdowns from quarterbacks Eli Manning and contributing to the Giants' postseason run that culminated in a win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII played at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. After his tenure with the Giants and the high-profile off-field incident, he later signed with the Oakland Raiders and played under head coach Tom Cable before concluding his NFL career.

Following an incident in 2008 involving an accidental shooting at a Manhattan nightclub in New York City, he faced charges under New York penal law related to possessing an unlicensed handgun. The case involved law enforcement agencies such as the New York City Police Department and prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. Initial legal proceedings included arraignment before judges in New York County, New York, publicity involving national outlets like ESPN, The New York Times, NBC Sports, and commentary from personalities across Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. He ultimately pled guilty to a weapons charge and was sentenced under state sentencing guidelines to serve time at Rikers Island before transfer to state facilities including Sing Sing Correctional Facility and release after serving approximately two years. The case sparked debate among public figures such as Rudolph Giuliani, Andrew Cuomo, David Paterson, athletes including Michael Vick, Kobe Bryant, and commentators on topics related to celebrity legal treatment, prosecutorial discretion, and gun laws in New York.

Personal life

He has family ties to Long Island communities including Mastic Beach and has been associated with charities and youth outreach programs in the region and in New Jersey. His personal circle over the years included athletes and entertainers such as family members, teammates like Antonio Pierce, Osi Umenyiora, and public figures in New York City nightlife and business circles. Post-NFL activities included attempts to resume a football career, engagement with media appearances on outlets such as WFAN, involvement with athlete representation groups and agents from agencies comparable to Creative Artists Agency, and participation in community events connected to organizations including NFL Players Association and regional athletic programs.

Legacy and impact on football

His on-field achievements, including a pivotal touchdown reception in the Giants' upset over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII, have been cited in analyses by sports historians and analysts at Pro Football Hall of Fame, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, The Athletic, and Bleacher Report. The incident and subsequent legal outcome influenced team policies across franchises such as the New York Jets, New York Giants, and Pittsburgh Steelers regarding player conduct, personal security, and equipment handling, and prompted discussion among coaches like Tom Coughlin, Bill Parcells, and executives such as Jerry Reese and Kevin Colbert. His career is studied alongside receivers such as Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, Marvin Harrison, and Anquan Boldin for contributions to red-zone offense and contested-catch techniques. Burress's arc remains a cautionary example in NFL player development curricula at institutions like NFL Rookie Symposium and in case studies used by collegiate programs including Michigan State University and professional franchises evaluating talent, risk, and character.

Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:American football wide receivers Category:Michigan State Spartans football players Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players Category:New York Giants players Category:Oakland Raiders players