Plaxico Burress reacts at game.
Plaxico Burress (Photo by: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

NFL fans are sharing messages of sorrow after learning that New York Giants legend Plaxico Burress had to sell his Super Bowl 42 championship ring.

Darren Rovell of cllct.com reported that Plaxico Burress’s championship ring sold for $280,600 at Heritage Auctions. This marks the most expensive player Super Bowl ring ever sold, breaking the record previously held by Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl 25 ring.

Burress’s championship ring is extra valuable because he caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Eli Manning in arguably the best Super Bowl game ever, when the Giants upset Tom Brady’s dynastic New England Patriots 17-14. The Giants’ victory spoiled the Pats’ bid to become the first 19-0 team in NFL history.

Fans, however, were heartbroken to learn that Burress had to sell the most precious possession of his playing career. In many cases, retired athletes have to sell special memorabilia like their championship rings because of financial issues, and this was sadly the case for Burress aswell.

“29 mill career earnings…sad he’s gotta sell his ring,” one fan said.

“Sad really… I can’t imagine heart ache having to let your Super Bowl Ring go to auction,” quipped another.

“30m career earnings. He shouldn’t have had to sell it,” wrote a fan.

“Unfortunately for financial reasons, he needs the money. So sad,” another user said.

“Very sad,” remarked one fan.

“Heartbreaking that it was sold at all,” said a user.

After leading the Giants to the Super Bowl, Burress signed a $35 million contract extension. However, Burress accidentally shot himself outside of a New York City nightclub two months later and was arrested for criminal possession of a weapon.

Burress was cut by the Giants after the 2008 season and was given a two-year prison sentence. He played for the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011 and 2012, respectively, before retiring.

Plaxico Burress Is A Super Bowl Hero In Giants Lore

Plaxico Burress (Photo by Tom Berg via Getty Images)

Burress will always hold a special place in the hearts of the Giants organization and fans. If not for his slick route on Ellis Hobbs in Super Bowl 42, the Giants might not have complete the improbable upset of the Patriots.