NFL Suspends Josh Gordon For At Least 1 Year For Substance Abuse

The NFL suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon for at least a year on Feb. 3 for violating its Policy and Program for Substances and Abuse.

The NFL suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon for at least a year on Feb. 3 for violating its Policy and Program for Substances and Abuse. 

According to NFL.com’s Chris Wesseling, Gordon’s suspension “begins immediately and is effectively indefinite.” In order for him to play in the NFL again, he must apply for reinstatement in Feb. 2016. Wesseling’s colleagues at NFL Media, Ian Rapoport and Albert Breer, hinted at Gordon’s suspension last week after Gordon’s alcohol test was positive. 

Browns general manager Ray Farmer expressed disappointment in a statement the team released on their official website:

“As we have conveyed, we are disappointed to once again be at this point with Josh. Throughout his career we have tried to assist him in getting support like we would with any member of our organization. Unfortunately our efforts have not resonated with him. It is evident that Josh needs to make some substantial strides to live up to the positive culture we are trying to build this football team upon.

“Our hope is that this suspension affords Josh the oppotunity to gain some clarity in determining what he wants to accomplish moving forward and if he wants a career in the National Football League. We will have no further comment on Josh as he will not be permitted in our facility for the duration of his suspension.”

The Northeast Ohio Media Group’s Mary Kay Cabot reported on Tuesday that the Browns are not expected to severe ties with Gordon, who won’t receive any salary from the team next season, right away. The Cleveland wide receiver will be tested up to 10 times monthly. If he wants to resuscitate his NFL career, he must stay clean. Once he applies for reinstatement next year, the Browns can choose to either keep him or dangle him as trade bait.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler stresses Gordon was set to earn $1.07 million next season as part of the four-year, $5.34 million deal he signed prior to his rookie year in 2012. That contract also included a signing bonus of $2.3 million. 

Browns WR Josh Gordon has officially been suspended by the NFL for at least 1 year without pay http://t.co/4ceD9eAeme pic.twitter.com/ZU9DtWDR41— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 3, 2015

Fowler estimates Gordon must surrender $564,000 of that signing bonus as a result of his suspension, his third. 

Gordon’s agent Drew Rosenhaus did not immediately return Cabot’s email inquiring whether their camp will appeal the NFL ‘s suspension.

Raleigh, NC authorities charged Gordon with DWI in July 2014. He eventually pleaded guilty two months later and was given 12 months of unsupervised probation. In addition, he had to pay a $100 fine and $290 in court fees. Police also suspended his driver’s license, per Fowler. 

In Cabot’s Jan. 29 update, she explains Gordon thought the 2014 NFL season was over when he drank two beers and two drinks with his teammates on a flight to Las Vegas on Jan. 2. Among the other Browns on that plane ride were Joe Haden, Travis Benjamin, Andrew Hawkins and Miles Austin. Former Cleveland wide receivers coach Mike McDaniel was also on board.

Gordon regretted having drinks that day. When the plane touched ground, he received a notice that he had to get tested within four hours, per Cabot. 

His suspension is just part of a massive fallout from his impressive 2013 NFL season when he recorded 87 catches for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns, per ESPN. 

Gordon wrote an open letter to Charles Barkley, Cris Carter, Stephen A. Smith and all his other critics on Medium.com’s “The Cauldron” on Jan. 30. Here are some excerpts:

“First, words cannot express the remorse and regret I feel over this latest incident. I acknowledge that the repeated transgressions that have led up to this point have damaged my credibility, and for that, the only person to blame is me. 

“I have let down many in Cleveland — my Browns teammates, our hard-working coaching staff, the team’s ownership, and the loyal fan base that wants nothing more than to win. Playing there is different than in many other cities. We feel the fans’ pain. We know how important this is to them. 

“Also, I have disappointed the family and close friends who have always stood by me — no matter how tough things have been at certain points in my life. Believe me, there have been more dark days than I care to remember. 

“Most importantly, I have failed myself. Again…”

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