After suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg, an incident which took place in a New York nightclub last November, ex-NY Giant and Super Bowl XLII hero Plaxico Burress was sentenced to 24-months in prison Tuesday morning. After his sentencing, Burress was immediately taken into custody to begin his time in the New York City jail facility, Rikers Island.

It was “a tragic day for a decent man,” said Burress’ attorney, Benjamin Brafman, according to USA Today. ”You can violate the law, be subject to severe punishment and not be a criminal.”

Prior to his sentencing yesterday, according to ESPN, a very emotional Burress asked the court if he could say one last goodbye to his family members present. Burress embraced his father, among others, who told him to “be strong” through this ordeal. Via Twitter, many echoed the sentiment shared by Burress’ father:

1. 
   michaelstrahan (New York, NY) My Thoughts and Prayers are with my man Plaxico and his family today!!! 22 Sep 2009 from UberTwitter
2. 
   El_Cu_Cuy (San Antonio, TX) I wish you well Plaxico. Stay strong and you will get through this trying time in your life. 23 Sep 2009 from mobile web
3. 
   DBKamwa (Arizona) Plaxico spending his 1st night in jail instead of sleeping in silk sheets in his mansion with pregnant wife, and baby boy. Stay strong ! 23 Sep 2009 from UberTwitter
4. 
   AshleyNilla (Decatur, GA) Prayers go out to plaxico who startd his sentence today, he made a mistake and now has to do”stupid” time! God bless 23 Sep 2009 from UberTwitter

– this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Other Twitterers pointed to flaws in the legal system and believe the sentence was too drastic:

1. 
   ronaldaquino (San Diego, CA) Seeing Plaxico carry around his lil daughter is killing me. Can’t imagine being away from my kids for 2 YRS. Too harsh a sentence IMO. #fb 22 Sep 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   lawrencecoburn (San Francisco, CA) Stallworth got 24 days in prison for killing a person while drunk driving. Plaxico got two years for shooting himself in the leg. 23 Sep 2009 from web
3. 
   Gottrocks (Las Vegas, NV) @cvpayne Plaxico going to jail is nuts…..What is wrong with our system? 23 Sep 2009 from web in reply to cvpayne
4. 
   ktresports (Lufkin/Nacogdoches, TX) what is going on with plaxico burress having to go to jail for shooting himself but donte stallworh is at home and he killed a man 23 Sep 2009 from web
5. 
   TerryVandrovec (Sioux Falls, SD) Although what he did was stupid, I can’t help but feel bad for Plaxico Burress. I know I wouldn’t last 2 hours, let alone 2 years, in jail. 23 Sep 2009 from UberTwitter

– this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Burress will begin his sentence at Rikers and will later be transferred to a medium-security prison after being processed. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has already stated that after Burress’ released, he will be eligible to continue his career in football. With good behavior, Burress can be released as soon as May 2011.

Tweet This Post