The Sports Xchange

Former NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress reportedly has avoided going to prison for failing to pay state income taxes.

Burress was indicted last month by New Jersey prosecutors on one count of issuing a bad check or electronic funds transfer and one count of willful failure to pay state income tax in the amount of $47,903. Both are third-degree charges that carry a maximum penalty of five years in state prison and a $15,000 fine.

Burress struck a deal that includes no jail time, according to TMZ. Burress claimed he made a “simple mistake” when he tried to pay via bad electronic check. TMZ reported Friday that the deal will include Burress paying off the debt.

A representative for Burress told TMZ:

“A tentative agreement has been made to satisfy the tax obligations for Plaxico. We have been overwhelmed by the support and workability of all government agencies from the county all the way up to the state and federal offices. We hope to have everything buttoned up as soon as possible. We look forward to looking at this through the rear view mirror.”

The 37-year-old Burress played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and New York Jets during his 11-year NFL career.

In November 2008, Burress accidentally shot himself in the right leg while at a New York City nightclub. A weapons charge led to a prison stay of nearly two years, keeping him out of the 2009 and 2010 NFL seasons. He returned to play all 16 games for the Jets in 2011. He has not played since the 2012 season.

Earlier in his career, Burress had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Steelers and two for the Giants. He helped the Giants stun the New England Patriots and win Super Bowl XLII in 2008.