Grace Has No Regrets!

Former NFL NY Giants star receiver Plaxico Burress walked out of a prison today after serving 20 months on gun charges. According to the NY Daily News, Burress stopped briefly to talk to the media outside of the Oneida Correctional Facility:

"It's a beautiful day," Burress said as he left the medium-security Oneida Correctional Facility in upstate Rome. "It's a beautiful day to be reunited with my family. I want to go home and spend some quality time with them."

Wearing shades, Burress thanked God and "all my fans all around the world for the thousands of letters, for their unwavering support."

Asked about a possible return to pro football, Burress answered, "If and when everything gets settled, when they get back on the field, I'll be ready."

To be fair Plaxico did not use a gun in the commission of a felony toward someone else. However, he still unlawfully possessed a handgun in a NYC night club when it discharged in his pants. At best it was poor judgment that potentially endangered others, and at worse it was a total disregard for the law. New York's handgun laws are very stringent and you would have to be living on another planet to know otherwise. His actions give lawful, responsible and trained handgun owners a really bad image. The only thing he needs to carry in the future is an Ipod.

This wasn't Plaxico's first brush with the legal system. He has faced several civil lawsuits since he was drafted, and twice had temporary restraining orders filed against him in connection with domestic violence, but both were dismissed by the courts. However, like Michael Vick the former star player has served his time.

My friend Craig Loscalzo is known for saying, "You never regret extending grace." If you are a Christ-follower think about the implications of that statement in the context of Jesus' counsel to forgive and pray for our enemies, as well as Paul's reminder that we are to be reconciler's because we have been reconciled unto God by Jesus Christ. Reconciled people should be models of reconciliation toward others, even those we don't like, or those who have hurt us!

With that in mind I say welcome back to free society Plaxico! You have served your time and earned your release. I hope you have learned the lessons of gratitude, humility, responsibility, and serving others while in prison. Prove the naysayer's and cynics wrong by modeling a life of integrity, character and responsibility. Give back to the game and its fans who made you wealthy. Resist the temptation to talk about yourself in the 3rd person as so many celebrities and athletes are prone to do these days. Don't start tweeting and avoid YouTube posts. Ask Ben Roethlisberger about those. You've been away from cameras and microphones for nearly two years, I would advise that you continue to avoid them until you can talk about others, or your team more than yourself. I would also suggest you let your work in the training room and on the field (whenever the lockout ends) speak for you while saving most of your conversation for your loved ones and family.

Welcome back Plaxico! I wish you and your family well. It's not going to be easy, but you can do it! As someone with deep flaws I can attest to the power of forgiveness and humility. As a beneficiary of grace, I have learned the importance of extending it toward others. May you find grace too!