On Tuesday morning, New York Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was sentenced to two years in prison and two years probation as a result of the 2008 nightclub incident in which he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub.  He was taken into custody immediately following the hearing.

Last November, the former Super Bowl champ was carrying a gun—which was not licensed in New York—tucked in the waistband of his jeans.  When the gun started sliding, Burress accidentally pulled the trigger.  In July, he was indicted by a grand jury in July on two counts of criminal gun possession.  Last month, Burress pleaded guilty and accepted a plea bargain to a lesser charge of attempted weapons possession in the second degree.

ESPN.com is reporting that Burress will likely serve about 20 months in jail with credit for good behavior.   

At the time of incident, New York mayor Michael Bloomberg demanded Burress not be exempt from the state’s tough gun laws and that he be punished to the full extent. 

Burress’s sentence is the most recent in a string of NFL players who have spent time in the slammer. Most notable are Michael Vick, who was recently reinstated in the NFL after spending 23 months in prison for dog fighting,  and Donte Stallworth, who did 30 days in jail and must complete 1,000 hours of community service and eight years probation stemming from April 2009 DUI and second degree manslaughter charges.

Fans are taking to their Twitter to react to these charges.  There are mixed emotions, including those who think Burress was punished too harshly:

1. 
   mrjonesinc #Plaxico Burress got a raw deal for shooting himself. I know folks that shot others by accident and did less time. SMH @ making an example 22 Sep 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   jimi_jimijones thats mess up what they’re doing to #Plaxico Burress! The damn man shot himself! Of he was Tom Brady he wouldn’t be going to Jail 22 Sep 2009 from web
3. 
   bigsquirrel #Plaxico Burress didn’t really care for him but he don’t deserve this! 22 Sep 2009 from web
4. 
   a_rizzo #Plaxico Burress doing hard time for two years. I think it’s a bit harsh, but he’s still a dumbass. 22 Sep 2009 from web

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While some disagree with the sentence, most are simply lamenting the bad decision that was made by Burress: 

1. 
   DanielEhlers #Plaxico Burress gets 2yrs. More than Vick? Only an idiot would tuck an unregistered handgun in the waistband of his sweatpants, but still. 22 Sep 2009 from web
2. 
   jamie3xsfast damn didn’t #Plaxico Burress learn from vick ??? Another one bites the dust see u n 2 years bro 22 Sep 2009 from Echofon
3. 
   Jas_Marie #Plaxico Burress gets 2 years in prison.He was a great player that made some stupid decisions off the field.Guess he wont be returning toNYG 22 Sep 2009 from web
4. 
   manhatteshi #Plaxico Burress 2-years seems awfully harsh. It was idiotic but isn’t literally “shooting yourself in the foot” punishment enough? 22 Sep 2009 from TweetDeck

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