Let the lesson be learned — by all of us.

Former Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress caught the game-winning touchdown pass for the New York Giants in the Super Bowl less than a year ago.

Today, he's lucky to be walking. Actually, he's lucky to be alive, though his place of residence might soon be a jail cell.

Burress had the lack of presence of mind to walk into a nightclub with a loaded gun in his pocket. That gun accidentally went off and, well, the rest has been well documented.

Yes, what happened to Burress was an accident. But it was an accident set up to happen.

When people get killed by drunken drivers, those are accidents, too.

The argument can be made that Burress was destined to do what he did. He had run afoul of the law and let down his team before, after all.

Burress, Adam Jones, Chris Henry — these guys are who they are.

They can't avoid trouble because they go through life wearing a welcome sign on their foreheads inviting it for a visit.

In all likelihood, Burress is done with the Giants. He probably will go the way of Jeremy Shockey in wearing out his welcome there.

Another team might give Burress a chance to mend his ways — if he's not in prison. Michael Vick figures to get another opportunity once he becomes a free member of society again.

The professional sports world is a forgiving land — especially if your talent can help a team get to the promised land.

Unfortunately, most of us do not ply our trade in the professional sports world.

One poor error in judgment can disrupt our lives forever.

If I walk into a nightclub carrying a loaded gun and it goes off — accidentally or otherwise — my place of employment is going to change.

The business I'm in is probably going to change, too, once I'm through serving my time.

Burress might not spend a day in jail. That will be determined.

But let's be honest. Many of us thought Vick wouldn't see any prison time, either.

It's hard for the average person to understand how guys like O.J. Simpson, Vick and Burress could screw up so badly.

All three of them had it all at one point. Simpson was one of the most marketable black athletes in history. Vick's No. 7 jersey was the NFL's most popular in terms of department store sales.

And Burress caught the winning pass in one of the most shocking upsets in Super Bowl history.

Beyond the glory is the fact they are still human beings. The judgments they make in how they live their lives off the field ultimately affect their lives on the field.

Poor personal decisions can destroy our own lives and the lives of others.

All it takes is one major screwup. And second chances don't always happen.

Such is the lesson we all can learn from Simpson, Vick, Jones, Henry, etc.

And now from Plaxico Burress — who only wishes his biggest problem now is the Steelers not throwing him the ball enough.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle.