Much-maligned New York Jets wide receiver Plaxico Burress sat down with HBO’s ‘Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel’ recently to discuss the 2008 gun incident that led to his incarceration, the first time he’s spoken in depth publicly about the events of that night.

“I knew it had went off. I saw the fire, like, come through my jeans,” Burress said. The interview will air on Tuesday night.

Burress also admits in the interview that he didn’t know who New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was until the mayor had announced he’d be pursuing charges against Burress. Bloomberg says he’s fine with that.

The receiver is trying to put the episode behind him as he eyes the upcoming NFL season, his first with his new team. Burress reportedly says that he no longer owns any guns. Still, you have to wonder if he’s truly a reformed man, considering than when asked about his public image, he said, “I don’t take no [expletive] from nobody. You got earn my respect as a person. You got love for me. I got love for you.”

Sounds like prison did him a world of good.

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