Experts say pro athletes like Plaxico Burress often arm themselves – legally or illegally – to protect the sudden wealth that accompanies a sports career.
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“You go from a zero account balance to millions of dollars, and with that comes huge responsibility and huge fears,” said former Buffalo Bill Marcellus Wiley, who walked around for two years with a .380-caliber pistol he was supposed to keep at home.
“You feel as if a huge ‘X’ is on your back. Fear and paranoia take over.”
It’s no wonder, given high-profile tragedies, such as the killing of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who was shot in his Miami-area home during a botched robbery one year ago.
Also, Giants receiver Steve Smith was robbed at gunpoint outside his home, ex-Giants running back Tiki Barber said yesterday.
“Players, for whatever reason, feel the need to carry guns,” Giants owner John Mara said yesterday.
“You’d like to think that most of them are licensed to do that, but I’m not sure that is always the case.”