NBA star Ja Morant has been in the headlines this week for a video on his Instagram story where Morant flashed a firearm. Many sports figures have weighed in as the situation continues to develop.
Retired New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress, who had his career turned upside down due to an incident with a gun, was a guest on Fox Sports’ “The Carton Show” and offered advice to Morant.
.@plaxicoburress on what advice he would give to Ja Morant: pic.twitter.com/7CdF6AGXpz
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) March 7, 2023
“If you can’t learn anything, learn from me,” said Burress. “Make better decisions because you really don’t want for him to have that label being that he’s so young. He has the opportunity to be the face of the NBA. He’s that great of a player.”
Burress can certainly be an example for Morant to learn from.
In 2008, Burress’ season and Giants tenure abruptly ended after he accidentally shot himself in the leg while out at a club in New York City with some of his teammates. The Giants were 10-1 at the time, rolling through opponents following their Super Bowl XLII upset the season before.
Big Blue would lose three of their final five games without Burress and were bounced in the second round of the playoffs. The Giants would release the Super Bowl hero in the ensuing offseason.
Burress spent two years in prison due to the incident.
Burress is one of the more underrated players in franchise history and will always be remembered for the game-winning catch in Super Bowl XLII. Although, many wonder what could have been in 2008 for Big Blue if Burress’ season wasn’t cut short.