The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress Friday, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in a New York City nightclub.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. The New York Giants' patience with troubled Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress finally ran out.

The Giants released Burress a little more than four months after the 31-year-old accidentally shot himself in the thigh with an unlicensed gun in a New York City nightclub.

The stunning move on Friday seemed to indicate that the Giants didn't think Burress could live by their rules and that they also believed that Burress did not want to come back.

"I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out," general manager Jerry Reese said in announcing the move. "We hung in there as long as we could in hopes that there could be a resolution to this situation other than the decision we made today to release Plaxico.

"It wasn't to be, so now we have to move on. Like everybody else here, we want nothing but the best for Plaxico, and we are appreciative of the contributions he made to this franchise."

Burress' four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl against the previously undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008, but it was also dogged by fines and suspensions.

Burress' status has been uncertain since he shot himself in the thigh on Nov. 29 with a gun he'd stuffed into his waistband. He faces a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for at least 3Z\x years if convicted.

Burress' case was adjourned on Tuesday while his attorneys and prosecutors worked on a possible plea agreement. He is due back in court on June 15.

While the delay in the court proceedings appear to have influenced the Giants, it wasn't the only factor. His track record left team officials concerned about whether he'd ever really put the team first.

Just earlier this year, with the shooting charge pending and the Giants still leaving the door open for his return once Burress resolved the matter, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, sent out feelers to other teams suggesting that his client wanted to be traded.

Burress has not spoken publicly about the shooting. His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, noting that he is a Giants fan, called the team's decision a huge mistake.

"He is a good man, a good football player and I only hope that with the benefit of hindsight the Giants don't ultimately regret this decision," Brafman said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.