Dec 2nd 2008 12:49PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Giants, NFL Police Blotter, Pressing Issues, NFL Media WatchDespite Drew Rosenhaus’ ridiculous comparison (Sean Taylor : Plaxico Burress) during last evening, there is certainly, as has been noted numerous times this year, a significant stigma revolving around guns, violence and professional football players.

Plax was the latest episode and one that left us wondering “Hey, man, why are you carrying a loaded gun into a nightclub?” The initial answer seemed to be “stupidity.” But it turns out that maybe Burress had a legitimate reason to fear for his safety, considering that his teammate and fellow wide receiver Steve Smith was robbed at gun point recently.
Smith went out with friends on the night of Monday, Nov. 24, the day after the Giants beat the Cardinals in Arizona. He arrived home early last Tuesday morning - the Giants had the day off - and he was held up, apparently by the driver who took him to his home in a gated community in Clifton, N.J., according to a league source.

Shortly after being dropped off, Smith had a gun pointed to his head and was ordered to give up his jewelry and cash, which he did. The assailant then left the scene, and Smith called police.
Police have said that Smith doesn’t own a gun … but that doesn’t mean there’s not an easy, logical leap to figure out why Plaxico might be carrying one. Additionally, it’s beyond terrifying to realize that was the one that robbed him.

Whether or not it was a personal hire or someone farmed out from a company is an entirely different issue, but it’s still scarily similar to the whole deal in Vegas with Pacman Jones and his bodyguard in that it seems to be becoming increasingly difficult for these athletes to even know whom to trust.