Fortunately for wide receiver Plaxico Burress there is a silver lining in accepting a two-year plea deal from Manhattan’s district attorney. He will be able to sign and play for a team upon completion of his prison sentence for one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon, said commissioner Roger Goodell.

His suspension from the league will run concurrent with his prison sentence. The one-time Super Bowl hero’s legal woes started last November when the 32-year-old accidently shot himself in the thigh inside the Latin Quarters nightclub.

“This is a very sad day because I think a very good man, who is a brilliant athlete, is unfortunately going to spend 20 months in prison,” said Burress’ lawyer Benjamin Brafman. “After an agonizing period of discussion, Plaxico decided that he wanted to put this behind him as soon as possible.”