Plaxico Burress was over-sentenced on his New York gun charge in 2008. There, I said it. His path back to the NFL was blazed by Michael Vick not all that long ago.
Vick’s strategy for redemption involved esteemed and devout coach Tony Dungy and and the Humane Society, America’s largest animal advocacy group and dog fighting opponent. Dungy, as surrogate for the NFL, stood up for Vick as Vick denounced his former hobby for the cruel activity that it is. Vick today is the nation’s best known advocate against dog fighting.
I suspect the important announcement Burress is scheduled to make at 11 a.m. EDT Monday, June 13 at the offices of the National Urban League will follow the same format. He will be joined by National Urban League President Marc H. Morial, former Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy and Paul Helmke President of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
Skepticism abounds about the sincerity of Vick’s new conviction on dog fighting (um, pun), but no doubt that he reaches an audience that the Humane Society cannot.
Can Plax do the same? Vick was involved in a cruel sport run by crude people, whether they be in urban neighborhoods or the rural backwoods from whence the sport came. Where ever laws address it, and more laws were written after Vick’s conviction, dog fighting was illegal.
Carrying a firearm is illegal in New York, but legal in over 40 other States with varying degrees of permission. You need a license to carry a concealed weapon in Virginia, but none at all to carry an unconcealed one in public and in bars. I’m still trying to figure that one out.
Firearms trigger stronger feelings on both sides of the issue than dog fighting, with a sizable part of the population who believe they have a personal right to carry. Burress felt such a need for personal protection. He did not use his weapon to threaten another and was the only person injured by it’s accidental discharge, thus, my sense that his jail sentence was a tad heavy.
Where Vick changed minds about dog fighting, it is highly unlikely that Burress can do the same for the Brady Center with anti-gun laws. Whatever Burress says in his announcement and whatever his sincerity, expect the script to follow the Michael Vick format.
Burress’ success finding his way back to a NFL locker room depends on how well he overcomes the notion that he was a team detriment to the New York Giants. That’s what they said when they released him.
Cue Coach Dungy.
Points after: Message received by email — “In his first public appearance since his release from prison, Plaxico Burress will make an important announcement Monday, June 13, at 11 a.m. EDT, at the offices of the National Urban League. He will be joined by National Urban League President Marc H. Morial, former Indianapolis Colts Coach Tony Dungy and Paul Helmke President of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Watch LIVE webcast on www.iamempowered.com Monday June 13, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. EDT!”
Link – NFL Gun and Weapon Policy on ESPN.com
Link – Forum discussion about NFL Gun Policy on Shotgunworld.com
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