"Plaxico Burress lost millions upon millions of dollars. He lost his football career with the Giants. He lost a verdict in the court of public opinion. And most of all, Burress lost two Thanksgivings with his wife and two small children.

When he awakens today inside his Totowa, N.J., mansion, with wife Tiffany, 4-year-old Elijah and 2-year-old Giovanna, Burress will give thanks as much as anyone can.

He didn't beat cancer, as Mark Herzlich of the Giants has. Burress isn't that kind of inspirational story, as much as he tries to do the right, sensible, responsible, things now."