Full Breakdown
Plaxico Burress says playing for the Jets felt like prison
7/29/2026, 11:34:05 PM
Core Event
During a recent appearance on Lil Wayne and Craig Carton’s *The Joint Venture Show*, former Super Bowl champion wide receiver Plaxico Burress compared his 20-month incarceration for illegal gun possession to his 2011 season with the New York Jets. He said the two experiences “felt like … a loser” every day he walked through the door, whether that door led to a prison cell or MetLife Stadium.
Background & Context
Burress was a first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2000 and later became a key target for the New York Giants, catching the game-winning touchdown in Super Bowl XLII (2007). In November 2008, he accidentally discharged an unlicensed .40-caliber Glock in a Manhattan nightclub, wounding his thigh. He pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and served 20 months before being released in June 2011.
Two months after his release, the Jets signed Burress to a one-year, $3 million contract. The 2011 Jets, coached by Rex Ryan and led by quarterback Mark Sanchez, finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs.
Data & Statistics
- Prison term: 20 months.
- Jets 2011 production: 45 receptions for 612 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games; the team went 8-8.
- Career totals: 148 games, 553 catches, 8,499 yards and 64 touchdowns.
Official Statements & Responses
Burress later reflected on the support he received from Jets leadership during his comeback. The organization chose not to retain him after the 2011 season, and he finished his career with a brief stint at Pittsburgh.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They’re both kind of similar because when I walked into prison on my first day, I was like, ‘damn man you a f***ing loser.’ And I had the same damn feeling every day I walked through the door with the Jets,” — Plaxico Burress
Why It Matters
Burress’s comparison underscores how a single season with a struggling franchise can feel as punitive as incarceration for a player accustomed to championship success. His remarks also highlight the limited on-field impact he was able to deliver after a lengthy layoff, despite posting respectable numbers for a veteran receiver. The comment has resonated with Jets fans, many of whom view the franchise’s prolonged playoff drought as emblematic of broader organizational challenges.
What's Next
No further public comments or scheduled appearances by Burress regarding the Jets have been announced. The Jets are currently in the midst of rebuilding under new leadership, with no indication that Burress will be involved in any future capacity.
