Lost in the shuffle of the Super Bowl on Sunday (Who knew the New Orleans Saints had so many fans?) was the interview with former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress from behind bars.

Burress explained to Bill Cowher that not only will he be back in the NFL but he will pick up where he left off.

“I will play,” Burress said. “I think I will come back in, and it will be like I never left.”

Riiiiiight.

(Ask Mike Vick how that’s working out.)

“You go into a lapse of judgment for a quick second because you’re thinking about only yourself,” Burress said on why he was carrying a gun in the first place. “It was a selfish decision. . . . I had my home broken into twice. When things like that happen, it takes your peace of mind away. It scares you a little bit and you say to yourself, ‘I don’t want to be in that situation.’”

The fact that athletes are targets is a legitimate concern but there are ways of getting protection so you aren’t the one left holding the unregistered gun.

And in case you’re keeping track for your fantasy team, Burress wouldn’t be back in the NFL until 2011 … when the league is expected to go on strike.

Keep your head up and gun away, Plaxico.

Gilbert Arenas has started the campaign to clean up his image by writing a story in the Washington Post that explains he will rebuild his relationship with the youth in Washington D.C.

“I understand the importance of teaching nonviolence to kids in today’s world,” Arenas wrote. “Guns and violence are serious problems, not joking matters — a lesson that’s been brought home to me over the past few weeks. I thought about this when I pleaded guilty as charged in court and when I accepted my NBA suspension without challenge.

Is there nothing more cliche than an athlete getting in trouble and trying to make things right by going after the youth?

We saw this with Michael Vick and now with Arenas, who is clearly trying to save the rest of his $111 million contract with the Washington Wizards.

It would be refreshing for athletes to help the youth before landing that felony on their record.

The damage has already been done, Gilbert.

Have we finally seen the end of Brett Favre?

No, for real this time.

Like, for real, for real.

Favre planted the seeds for an interesting summer when he said on Sunday after losing to the New Orleans Saints that it was “highly unlikely” that he would return for another season.

That’s nothing different from what we have heard the last few seasons with Favre, who has a year left on his contract with the Vikings.

Even if you hate Favre, it was hard not to feel bad for him after he threw that interception.

Brett Favre didn’t cost the Vikings that game.

The blame goes to Percy Harvin, Bernard Berian, Adrian Peterson and their hands for not holding on to the football.

It’s hard to win when you fumble the ball six times resulting in three turnovers.

How soon after the Super Bowl before ESPN has Rachel Nichols camping out in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on Favre watch?

Is there anyone actually excited for the 2010 NBA Slam Dunk Contest?

Outside of Lakers guard Shannon Brown, there’s nobody worthy of being in the event. (Do you really want to watch Nate Robinson miss 15 more dunks in a row?)

But Shaquille O’Neal has an idea that would not only shake up the contest but would help the survivors from the earthquake in Haiti.

O’Neal wants to see slam dunk legends and past champions like Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter and teammate LeBron James enter the contest and have half of the prize money go to Haiti.

“As his manager, I will only allow ‘Bron to do the dunk contest if Vince Carter comes back out,” O’Neal said. “If Kobe comes back out and if another big name comes back out. If we could get a big prize and have half of the money go to the people of Haiti and the other half to the winner.

“The guys that are in it, no disrespect to them, but there won’t really be any competition for LeBron. I want to see Kobe. I want to see Vince and I will allow my client to enter.”

This is the best idea O’Neal has had since he joined Twitter.

Will it actually happen?

Of course not.

But one can dream, right?

With the Super Bowl right around the corner (J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets!), it’s never too early to start thinking about the parties that will be going down on South Beach leading up to the big game.

Playa Hater has learned exclusively that rapper Nelly will be working the VIP red carpet at ESPN’s 6th annual NEXT party held at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach on Feb. 5.

Nelly is a huge sports fan and no stranger to the ESPN audience as he will be interviewing athletes and celebs before they head into one of the hottest pre-Super Bowl parties in Miami.

And if you’re in town, Keri Hilson and Ne-Yo will be performing while Q-Tip will be spinning all night.

Alright, who is down for a road trip to Miami?

The Shane Mosley-Andre Berto match on Jan. 30 has been called off following the tragic 7.0 earthquake in Haiti.

Berto, a Haitian-American, pulled out of the fight after losing eight family members in the earthquake.

He was “mentally and physically exhausted” and nobody can blame him for dealing with such a tragedy.

With Berto out  of the picture and Mosley in fighting shape, has Floyd Mayweather found an opponent for his next fight.

In case you don’t remember, it was Mosley who stormed into the ring following Mayweather’s victory over Juan Manuel Marquez and basically challenged “Money May” to a fight.

Well, that fight could happen as soon as March 13 if both sides can reach an agreement.

If Mosley-Mayweather gets signed, suddenly that becomes the much more intriguing fight over Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey.

Below is the entire statement from Berto regarding pulling out of his fight with Mosley:

Since the 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday evening, I have been focusing on my family and the Haitian people who are facing an inconceivable battle for survival while still trying to continue to prepare for an opportunity I have dreamt of since childhood. I lost several family members to the earthquake and after two days without word, was relieved to learn that my sister, Naomi and her daughter, Jessica survived, but were left homeless. I have seen the pain in my parents’ eyes as they attempt to understand what has happened to our homeland and recognize a place they once called home.

As a result of this disaster, I am mentally and physically exhausted and therefore I have no choice but to withdraw from my bout on January 30.

Throughout the past six days, I have received an incredible outpouring of support, and I sincerely appreciate everyone’s prayers for the people of Haiti. I hope that everyone will continue to keep the Haitian people in their thoughts and prayers as we work to rebuild this proud nation. The rebuilding of Haiti is not something that will happen overnight, but I am fully dedicated to helping the Haitian people recover from this catastrophic event.

Gilbert Arenas is one step closer from possibly never playing in the NBA again.

The Wizards guard pleaded guilty on Friday to carrying a pistol without a license, a felony conviction.

This was part of a plea bargin that hoped to keep Arenas out of jail. He won’t know until he’s sentenced on March 26.

Prosecutors are seeking between six months and two years behind bars for Arenas but the judge makes the final call.

If you’re Judge Robert E. Morin, why wouldn’t you make an example out of Arenas the same way prosecutors nailed ex-New York Giants star Plaxico Burruss?

A guilty plea will likely keep Arenas out of the NBA for the rest of the season while the Wizards will look to void the rest of his $111 million contract.

The next uniform Arenas could be putting on is a jumpsuit instead of one sporting his name on the back.

Because it’s been one of those weeks…

I read the defense! I read the defense!

As much as I love my New York Jets, they might have to lose just so we can see more of the Electric Glide from LaDainian Tomlinson.

Tell me this won’t be stuck in your head the rest of the week.

I’m jigging (© Runteldat) as we speak.

Philadelphia 76ers center Samuel Dalembert was on Sportscenter Wednesday to talk about his home country of Haiti that was ravaged by a 7.0 earthquake.

Dalembert was born in the capital of Port-Au-Prince and still has friends and family back in Haiti.

For the latest on the aftermath of the earthquake, check out the BET.com News channel.

Ahhh, to be a quarterback in Philadelphia.

That’s not a job I would sign up for and I don’t envy quarterback Donovan McNabb one bit, who has been the topic of discussion since the Philadelphia Eagles were knocked out of the NFL Playoffs by the Dallas Cowboys.

If Eagles fans had their way, neither McNabb or Michael Vick would be back next season and backup Kevin Kolb would be getting the snaps.

But as long as head coach Andy Reid is around, he will continue to stand by McNabb as his starting quarterback.

“That’s my call,” Reid said on the decision to bring McNabb back. “I think he’s a great player. His work over the last 11 years has proven that. I truly believe it’s a team sport; it’s not one guy.”

As for Vick, the Eagles would be fools if they picked up his $5 million option for next season, leaving #7 to look for a home for next season.

When will Philly fan realize that McNabb is not the problem?

You can’t ignore your run game and expect McNabb to succeed.

Until Reid stops calling for 50 pass plays a game and drafts a running back instead of a 6-foot wide receiver, the Eagles will continue to flounder in the NFC East.