Plaxico Burress Dates Joined: NFL Entry and Early Career
Plaxico Burress entered the NFL after being selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft, with the 8th overall pick. He made his regular-season debut on September 3, 2000, against the Cleveland Browns, recording a reception in his first game. Burress played for the Steelers from 2000 through 2002 before joining the New York Giants ahead of the 2003 season. His early career stats include 152 receptions, 2,259 yards, and 17 touchdowns over his first three seasons, according to Pro Football Reference Plaxico Burress career stats.
Burress signed a six-year, $35 million contract extension with the Steelers in 2003, making him one of the highest-paid wide receivers at the time. The deal included $15 million guaranteed and a $10 million signing bonus. He played 48 games for Pittsburgh between 2000 and 2002, averaging 64 receptions per season. His departure was confirmed after the 2002 season when the Giants selected him in the supplemental draft.
Plaxico Burress Dates Joined: Giants Era and Super Bowl Win
Plaxico Burress joined the New York Giants on September 2, 2003, after the supplemental draft pick was finalized. He immediately became a starter, recording 68 catches for 1,025 yards in his first Giants season. In 2004, he improved to 70 receptions for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl consideration. Burress remained with the Giants through the 2008 season, playing 80 games over that span.
His most notable achievement came on February 3, 2008, when the Giants defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Burress caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Eli Manning with 35 seconds remaining, sealing the 17–14 upset. He finished the 2007 regular season with 76 receptions for 1,162 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Giants released Burress on April 3, 2009, following his off-field legal issues.
Plaxico Burress Dates Joined: Later Career and Contract Details
Plaxico Burress signed with the New York Jets on September 29, 2009, after serving a 20-month prison sentence for a weapons violation. He joined the Jets mid-season and played 5 games, catching 14 passes for 211 yards. The Jets released him on March 1, 2010, after he failed a physical due to a knee injury. Burress did not appear in another regular-season NFL game after 2009, effectively ending his top-level career.
Burress attempted a comeback in 2012 with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, joining the team on September 10, 2012. He played 4 games for Toronto, recording 15 receptions for 223 yards and 1 touchdown. His NFL career totals across 12 seasons include 451 receptions, 7,213 yards, and 52 touchdowns. Burress remains a notable figure in NFL history, with his career timeline frequently referenced in discussions about wide receiver development and draft picks NFL player