The former Giants star and Norfolk native tearfully told his family goodbye as he surrendered to begin his prison stint for attempted criminal possession of a weapon after accidentally shooting himself in the thigh.

In New York City in 2008, 75 people with no prior criminal records were charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. All agreed to plea bargains that reduced the charge to at tempted possession of a weapon in the second degree. According to statistics from the New York state Division of Criminal Justice Services, 56 received two-year jail sentences. The rest received longer terms.

NEW YORK—Facing the prospect of spending at least 3½ years behind bars, one-time Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress accepted a plea bargain with a two-year prison sentence for accidentally shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub. The former New York Giants wide receiver pleaded guilty to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, a lesser charge than he had faced. He will be sentenced Sept. 22, and lawyer Benjamin Brafman said he expects Burress to begin serving his sentence immediately after.

Norfolk native and former Virginia Beach high school star agrees to a two-year prison term for accidentally shooting himself at a Manhattan nightclub.

NEW YORK - Former New York Giants star Plaxico Burress was indicted by a grand jury on weapons charges for shooting himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub and faces a minimum prison sentence of 3½ years if convicted, prosecutors announced yesterday. The indictment charged Burress, a 31-year-old Norfolk native, with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment, Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said.

Prosecutors say the indictment charges the 31-year-old Burress with two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment.

NEW YORK - Manhattan’s district attorney said he wants former Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress to serve time in prison, the New York Post reported yesterday. Robert Morgenthau told the newspaper that Burress, who shot himself with an unlicensed gun in November, was willing to agree to spend a year in jail, but prosecutors insisted on two.

Former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress is negotiating with several NFL teams to return to pro football this season after a judge delayed his trial yesterday on gun-possession charges. Burress, a Norfolk native, made a brief appearance in court yesterday, accompanied by his wife and attorney Benjamin Brafman. Judge Felicia Mennin adjourned the case until Sept. 23.

The weapons possession case against former New York Giants player Plaxico Burress has been adjourned until September, and his attorney said he didn’t see any reason the wide receiver couldn’t play this fall.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress in a stunning move yesterday, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York City nightclub. Burress’ four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl against the previously undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008, but it also was dogged by fines and suspensions.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP)—The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress today, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York City nightclub. Burress’ four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl against the previously undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008, but it was also dogged by fines and suspensions.

Plaxico Burress is the NFL’s leading lunkhead, a Pro Bowl player in terms of recklessness and foolishness. But the New York Giants wide receiver should not be regarded as a criminal. Burress shot himself in the right thigh early Saturday morning while in a Manhattan night club. He had jammed a .40-caliber Glock pistol into the waistband of his sweatpants, and when he tried to grab the gun as it slid down his leg, the Glock discharged.