Giants receiver Burress back from suspension without regrets

New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs (27) is embraced by quarterback Eli Manning (10) after he scored a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of their NFL football game in East Rutherford, New Jersey, October 5, 2008.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Unbeaten Super Bowl champion New York Giants, who walloped the Seattle Seahawks 44-6 on Sunday, have receiver Plaxico Burress back after his two-week ban.

Burress, suspended for missing a day of team meetings without contacting team officials, said on Monday he was happy to return to work.

"I didn't lose any sleep over it," he told reporters. "It gave me some rest and I was able to get away for a little while and chill out.

"Things like that happen. I have put it behind me and keep on moving forward and getting back to doing what I do, catching footballs and scoring touchdowns."

Burress said he had a family emergency that meant he had to take his son to school but would not go into precise detail about the incident.

"My job is and my responsibility is to take care of my family first," said the wide receiver, who recently signed a five-year, $35 million contract.

CHILD FIRST

"Just like coach (Tom Coughlin) said, I was suspended because I need to be more responsible. I was being responsible, just not toward them. I put my child first."

Burress led the Giants last season with 1,025 yards receiving and 12 touchdown receptions.

Despite hobbling with an injured right ankle he caught a 13-yard, game-winning TD pass from Eli Manning with 35 seconds left to beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.

"I have been fined quite a bit and some of the demands they ask me to do, I just don't meet," said Burress.

"Do I have an excuse? No. Maybe I have a problem with time or something."

Burress said he would make the same decision in another family crisis, though he might also make a phone call to the team.

(Writing by Larry Fine, editing by Tony Jimenez)