Cheddar Bob... is black?...

GIANT'S RECIEVER SHOOTS HIMSELF IN THE LEG AT A NIGHTCLUB FRIDAY NIGHT... lol

BY OHM YOUNGMISUK IN WASHINGTON AND ALISON GENDAR, RALPH VACCHIANO AND LARRY MCSHANE IN NEW YORK DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

Updated Saturday, November 29th 2008, 8:32 PM

Roca/News

Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself inside the Latin Quarter, a midtown nightclub on Lexington Ave.

Drapkin/Getty

It hasn't been a smooth ride lately for Burress.

Zelevansky/Getty

Antonio Pierce rushed to his teammate's aide, sources at the scene say.

Related News

ARTICLES

• Earlier: Plaxico out for Skins game
• Giants not under Burress duress

Super Bowl star Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself inside a Manhattan nightclub early Saturday, the latest self-inflicted wound for the increasingly erratic Giants wideout. The bloody blunder came after oft-fined Burress and fellow Giant Antonio Pierce entered the Latin Quarter nightclub in midtown about midnight. Burress, 31, was relaxing with his pals, a drink in one hand, when his loaded handgun started slipping down his pants, sources said. He tried to grab the weapon but fumbled it, causing it to go off. The bullet tore through Burress already injured right thigh, sources said. Pierce rushed over to his bleeding teammate and applied pressure to the wound as Burress screamed in pain, sources said. As he worked to slow the bleeding, Pierce berated Burress for bringing a loaded handgun into a club, police sources said. Burress, panicking over his future, told his teammates not to call 911 for an ambulance, sources said. He checked himself into New York-Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell about 2 a.m., police said. He was released from the hospital about 12:45 p.m. Burress could face illegal weapons charges, a crime that carries up to five years in prison, sources said. "He went for his gun and fumbled it. And now it will cost him," a police source said. The state of Florida issued him a concealed weapon permit that expired in May. Even if it had been renewed, it wouldn't be recognized by authorities in New York or New Jersey. Fullback Brandon Jacobs said Burress wasn't answering his phone. "I'm very concerned about him," he said. "I've been trying to call him, to see how he's doing." The Giants confirmed the shooting but declined to say much more. "This incident could become a matter for law enforcement officials," the Giants acknowledged. The Giants, after speaking with Burress, said they were relieved to hear Eli Manning's favorite target was out of the hospital. "Our primary concern is for Plaxico's health and well-being," the Giants statement said. Burress, who caught the Super Bowl-winning pass from Manning, was already expected to miss the Redskins game with a hamstring injury in the same leg where he was shot. The team was in contact with NFL security as the investigation continued. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told The News it was too soon to determine if the shooting was a violation of the league's personal conduct policy. "That is premature," Aiello said. "We are working with the Giants to determine the facts." Police began combing the club for evidence just before 5 p.m. Saturday. About the same time, plainclothes officers from the NYPD and cops from Totowa approached the front door of Burress' mansion, but weren't immediately allowed in - even after ringing the bell five times. "We've been through a lot today," a woman said from inside the home. "Ma'am, we're talking to a box," one of the Totowa cops said, referring to the intercom system outside the house. Burress' high-profile agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not return calls for comment on the shooting. Burress has become a season-long distraction, creating constant controversy with his disdain for punctuality, an on-field tirade at an official and problems at home. Through the first 12 weeks of the season, the recidivist receiver has been fined, suspended and benched. Between lost salary and fines, Burress was out more than $200,000 since September. The season's litany of troubles came after Burress earned a Super Bowl ring and financial security. His winning TD against the Patriots was followed seven months later by a new five-year, multimillion-dollar contract. Burress produced on the field despite his problems. He was the Giants' second-leading receiver this year, with 35 catches and four TDs. In an odd twist, Burress' gunshot wound came as the Redskins planned a pre-game ceremony honoring Sean Taylor. The Washington safety was shot to death last year during a robbery.

With Wil Cruz, Brendan Brosh and Tina Moore