Changing Room Chat - Giants star triggers controversy

Published on Monday 1 December 2008 23:20

FOR any team manager, discipline is a key factor – just ask Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, even the Old Trafford manager may have his hands full with American footballer Plaxico Burress.

The New York Giants receiver was previously fined $117,500 and suspended for missing a team meeting and failing to notify the team of his absence, later claiming he had a family emergency. He was also fined $45,000 by the NFL for his conduct in a game against San Francisco in which he abused an official and tossed a ball into the stands.

Now, though, Burress has surpassed those 'feats' with his latest controversy...

Sidelined by a hamstring injury for the weekend game against Washington Redskins, Burress somehow managed to shoot himself in the thigh on Friday night, thus rendering himself further ineligible for future games for the Giants.

New York police and NFL security are now investigating the incident and team-mate Antonio Pierce was also interviewed by NFL security after reportedly being present when the shooting occurred.

Perhaps even the hairdryer treatment would fail to dampen Burress', er, spirits...

Mariners look to reel in Fowler

GRIMSBY chairman John Fenty insists there is nothing fishy in his pursuit of former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler.

The League Two side's manager Mike Newell is a friend of the 33-year-old, whose current deal with Blackburn ends this month. And Fenty is now angling to reel in Fowler for the Mariners. "He's under contract until December and there is a real chance he will get an extension there," he said. "But if that doesn't happen there is a glimmer of a chance he might come to Grimsby."

Gus the Viking's 99-yard TD pass

GUS FREROTTE launched himself into the Minnesota Vikings' record books with a 99-yard touchdown pass in Sunday's NFL clash with the Chicago Bears.

Frerotte's mammoth throw to Bernard Berrian late in the second quarter of the game was the longest offensive play in the Vikings' history and enabled Berrian to give Minnesota a 10-7 lead.

It was the 11th 99-yard touchdown play in NFL history and beat the Vikings' previous best; an 89-yard pass from Fran Tarkenton to Charley Ferguson in 1962.