NEW YORK — Facing the prospect of spending at least 31/2 years behind bars, one-time Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress on Thursday 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.
Burress got into a black SUV without speaking to reporters outside Manhattan state Supreme Court, but Brafman said, "After an agonizing period of discussion, Plaxico decided that he wanted to do this, to put this behind him as quickly as possible."
The ex-football star was indicted earlier this month on two counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment. He faced a minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years if convicted at a trial.
SEAHAWKS' JONES HAS KNEE SURGERY: The second knee surgery in eight months for Seahawks nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones has removed loose fragments, including scar tissue from the original surgery.
It hasn't removed doubt whether the man widely viewed as the pre-eminent left tackle of the last decade will be able to play in the first few games, if at all this season.
A team spokesman said Thursday morning that Jones' procedure earlier in the day "went well," and arthroscopic surgery found what an MRI this week indicated may be inside the left knee.
OCHOCINCO KICKS IN BENGALS WIN: Chad Ochocinco showed he can kick as well as catch. And Tom Brady showed he can take a hit — a very hard one.
With Shayne Graham nursing a tender groin, Ochocinco, Cincinnati's career leader in catches, yards receiving and name changes, booted an extra point late in the first half — a point that gave the Bengals a 7-6 win over the New England Patriots on Thursday night.
By that time, Brady was done for the night after being knocked down twice on his 13 snaps, one week after remaining upright on all 24 of his snaps in a 27-25 win at Philadelphia.