Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress' fall from grace was completed on Tuesday as he started a two-year prison sentence.
Super Bowl hero starts life in prison after gun sentence
Just over 18 months after catching the winning pass in the Super Bowl, wide receiver Plaxico Burress was taken to prison to start his two-year sentence for gun charges in New York.
The former New York Giants wideout caught the late touchdown pass to beat the New England Patriots and become a Super Bowl hero in Phoenix in February 2008, but his life has taken a massive downturn since then.
Burress was arrested last November after a gun he was carrying accidently went off and injured his own leg inside a Manhattan nightclub.
With no license to carry the weapon and with his license to carry a concealed weapon in Florida expiring in May 2008, Burress was hit with two weapons possession charges and one count of reckless endangerment.
The 32-year-old was facing a minimum sentence of three-and-a-half years, but a plea deal saw a reduced charge of attempted criminal possession of a weapon carrying a two-year jail term.
Sentence
A tearful Burress begun his sentence on Tuesday after saying an emotional goodbye to his family, and now begins what will likely be 20 months behind bars, with time off for good behaviour.
Released by the Giants in April, Burress still believes he can resurrect his NFL career once he gets out of jail, with the league already saying he will probably be reinstated once he completes his sentence - as was the case with Michael Vick.
Benjamin Brafman, attorney for Burress, called his client 'a fundamentally decent man' at the sentencing on Tuesday, adding:
"This is a very real tragic case in many, many ways."
Should Burress be released in spring 2011 he would still be monitored for two years, but would be able to resume his NFL career - and if he retains any of his ability his services would still be required.
One of the best deep threats in the league at his peak, Burress caught 12 touchdown passes on 1,025 yards receiving during the Giants' Super Bowl season.
