Plaxico Burress: Former Star Receiver Finds Peace Reading

Sometimes struggles can grow you as an individual.

Plaxico Burress served a 20-month prison sentence for accidentally shooting himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub.

But he emerged a more knowledgeable person.

Burress recently told Newsday that he read 82 books in 86 weeks while he was at Onelda Correctional Facility.

It was one of those deals that kind of grew on me. Ever since I went to prison, and in my spare time, I try to read as much as I can. Having a lot of time, I found something that became something I love to do. And that's gather information through reading, expanding my knowledge. I never would have known that if I didn't go through what I went through.

Burress, who in part credits Michael Vick's comeback story to giving him a second chance in the NFL, has 37 receptions and seven touchdowns in 13 games this season with the Jets. He had three touchdowns in one game against the San Diego Chargers on Oct. 23.

Said Burress:

Reading never would have been on my radar. Now my wife comes into the room at night and I'm reading my book, she just starts laughing. It's something that gives me peace.

As ill-advised as Burress and Vick's actions were that led to their prison sentences, stories like this are a book in themselves, reminding us that there is always a new beginning, no matter the struggles.

Has Burress learned from his incident?

We can't be sure now, it's only been one season.

But he's taking steps in the right direction, and that is something in itself.