TMZ Sports - Page 50

TMZ has learned the NYPD paid a visit to Plaxico Burress' house this afternoon, and retrieved what appears to be the gun that triggered this whole mess.

The cops arrived with a manila envelope, but a search warrant was NOT inside.

We're told Burress was not there, but authorized someone inside his home to give police the gun that apparently fell down his leg at a nightclub Friday night and accidentally fired.

Plaxico Burress' lawyer, Ben Brafman, just told us they were making arrangements for Plaxico to turn himself in tomorrow morning.

Ben said Burress will enter a plea of not guilty to one charge of illegal possession of a weapon, a felony.

Sources tell TMZ Burress could also be charged with reckless endangerment.

Ben Brafman tells TMZ his client "Intends to address the charges in a responsible manner as a true professional," adding, "I would hope that his fans reserve judgment in this matter until all of the facts are developed."

Brafman just left Plaxico's New Jersey home, where the wide receiver has been holed up since the shooting.

FYI: Jacobs -- who is around 6'4" and weighs 265 pounds -- tried hiding behind a pole.

Plaxico Burress has finally made a good decision -- by hiring the lawyer that got P. Diddy a unanimous "not guilty" in his 1999 gun case.

Burress is teaming up with Benjamin Brafman, who told us: "Yes I am representing him [Plaxico]." Ben also said Plaxico "may be surrendering to face charges. We are still discussing it."

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ the most likely charge Plaxico Burress will face is illegal gun possession. He does not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon in New York.

The NY Daily News reported Burress had a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Florida but it expired last May. In any event, that permit would not allow him to pack heat in NYC.

NY Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress may be arrested on felony gun charges after shooting himself in a NYC club this weekend, and his teammate could be charged with trying to cover it up.

Burress went to the Latin Quarter nightclub but was initially turned away, according to the New York Daily News. But the paper says club management had a change of heart after Burress came back, "flashing jewelry and carrying loads of cash," reportedly telling management he needed the gun for protection.

According to the Daily News, Burress was being taken into a VIP area when he fumbled with the gun as it began slipping down his pant leg. The gun fired, and the bullet tore through his leg.

According to the paper Burress told his teammate Antonio Pierce not to call 911. Pierce then reportedly helped Burress out of the club and they allegedly 86'd the gun somewhere in New Jersey.

He's shot himself in the foot all season, and now it appears NY Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg last night -- with an actual firearm!

It all went down in a Manhattan nightclub called The Latin Quarter -- details of the incident are sketchy and so far a police report has not been filed.

Burress' leg injury is being reported as "non-life threatening" and he reportedly left the hospital some time this morning.

It's been a hell of a year for Plax, who was fined heavily earlier this season for ditching a team meeting.

UPDATE: We're told the police are currently at the nightclub investigating the incident.

The Giants have issued the following statement:

It's a clash of the titan egos as Lebron James looks forward to putting some serious money where Charles Barkley's mouth is.

The Cleveland Cavalier is calling Charles Barkley "stupid," firing back at remarks that Charles Barkley recently made saying James needs to "shut the hell up" because he isn't showing respect for Cleveland fans and his teammates by discussing a possible free agency following the 2010 season.

But hey -- with the Knicks clearing up some salary-cap space in anticipation of the 2010 free-agent status, it's easy to see how Barkley's sideline advice might fall on deaf ears.

The Bengals wide receiver started his Black Friday at 5:25 AM in a Best Buy in Florence, KY -- picking up Rock Band 2, a stereo, and a Cuisinart four-slice toaster.

Taking a page from the George Clooney Dating Handbook, Phelps reportedly brought Pal back to Baltimore to spend Thanksgiving with his fam.

The out-of-control boxer was waiting to enter a gated community in Las Vegas Thanksgiving morning when he became frustrated with how slow the gate was taking to open -- so, according to KTNV, he rammed his Black Escalade into the gate until it fell down. Tyson smash!

Michael Phelps has moved on up from beauty queens ... to cocktail waitresses.

Golden boy did a kick-turn on Miss Cali wannabe Nicole Johnson and got himself a Vegas drink-slinger called Caroline Pal, who works at the Palms. And it got serious pretty quick: Pal just spent Turkey Day with the Phelps fam in Maryland, according to People.

Oh right, us.

It's unclear whether Alex will be spending Thanksgiving with them or if he'll be too busy stuffing having stuffing with Madge.

It's all about having a seat near the action.