The definitive DPD retrospective of Josh Gordon (Updated Sept. 4)
By Thomas Moore
Gordon followed up his stellar 2013 season by failing a drug test and being suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
That suspension would eventually be reduced to 10 games and Gordon made his return in Atlanta as the Browns defeated the Falcons to move to 7-4 on the season.
It would be the final game the Browns would win that year.
An disengaged Gordon, who never bothered to learn the playbook, finished the year with just 24 receptions for 303 yards and no touchdowns. He also picked up another suspension – this time issued by the Browns for the season finale against the Baltimore Ravens.
Little did anyone know it at the time, but Dec. 21 against the Carolina Panthers, when he had four receptions for 45 yards, would be the last time Gordon appeared in a regular season game to date.
Josh Gordon could be facing season-long suspension (May 9): According to a report from Outside the Lines of ESPN, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon could be facing a year long suspension for a positive drug test for marijuana.
Does Josh Gordon need the Josh Hamilton treatment? (May 19): Imagine a young athlete with incredible talent, freakish physical ability, and Hall of Fame potential. Now imagine the same athlete needing to overcome drug and alcohol abuse in order to reach these lofty expectations. Although this description sounds a lot like Josh Gordon, it can also be attributed to Josh Hamilton, outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels.
How does cutting Josh Gordon make the Browns better? (May 31): In the 24 hours since the news was announced that Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was cited for a speeding ticket and one of his three passengers (identity still unknown) admitted to possessing marijuana, the reaction has been loud and angry. Most critics are loudly demanding for the Browns simply cut Gordon and my question is simple: How are the Browns a better football team if they cut Josh Gordon right now?
Josh Gordon NFL.com’s 16th-ranked player (July 3): Cleveland Browns faithful experienced an amazing season by Josh Gordon last year. Gordon exploded on to the national stage even though he was being thrown passes by 3 different quarterbacks, 2 of whom most likely won’t throw passes at all this upcoming season. Unfortunately the Browns, their fans and Browns opponents are also waiting for word on his reported suspension. While we are waiting for that possible bad news comes his ranking on NFL.com’s Top 100 players in the league.
Josh Gordon checked into rehab after DUI (July 24): While we understand that Josh Gordon will have his appeal hearing next Friday, August 1st with the NFL, it seems he may have made steps to attempt to help himself. Mike Garafolo, who works for Fox Sports 1, reported that Gordon checked himself into rehab following his DUI.
Josh Gordon ranked as fifth-best wide receiver (July 30): Given that all, or most, of the news regarding Cleveland Browns star wide receiver Josh Gordon has been off the field it is a pleasure to talk about him on the field. SI.com has come out with their Top 10 Wide Receiver list of which Gordon is ranked at No. 5.
Josh Gordon: Personal insight into drug test procedures (July 30): Most of the time here on DPD you can expect quality journalistic information based on reports, analysis and understanding. There are some situations though that you will get personal views or stories coming from my professional background. The quick and easy is that I am a professional counselor, licensed in the State of Ohio with extensive history working with the legal system, alcohol and drug clients, marriage, family, children & adolescents and more. Today I take you behind the scenes of drug testing procedures as they have come to the forefront of the Josh Gordon suspension situation.
Browns preparing for an 8-game Josh Gordon suspension (Aug. 6): The Josh Gordon saga is on going, and at this point we, like many of you, think it is ridiculous. The league and Gordon’s team had the information regarding the suspension at the beginning of May. Now 3 months later the appeal hearing is heard and a week to THREE weeks from now we should hear a ruling. Timely.
Josh Gordon suspension decision made (Aug. 26): The Josh Gordon suspension appeal took another wild turn today with Adam Schefter reporting on SportsCenter that the decision has been made. Yet while the decision has been made no announcement has come.
Josh Gordon suspended indefinitely (Aug. 27): The Josh Gordon saga has ended and not in the way the Cleveland Browns or their fans were hoping for. Instead of Gordon getting off with a reduced sentence, or no suspension at all, he is now suspended indefinitely from the NFL. It is an important to note that based on the rules of the Drug Policy that Gordon wouldn’t just be for just a season. Instead Gordon is suspended for at least 365 days before he is able to apply to return to the NFL. During that time he is not eligible to be with the team, working with the team or communicate with the team. He is not guaranteed to be readmitted into the league upon the completion of the 365 days. Roger Goodell will have the ability to keep him suspended indefinitely.
A fan’s letter to Josh Gordon (Aug. 28): The next 3 pages are all letters from me, Jared Mueller, the fan. Not the counselor, not the writer, not the editor and not the sane adult. Just a fan, a fanatic.
Josh Gordon to explore the CFL? (Aug. 28): The Josh Gordon saga seems like it will go on for days. We will have a personal response to Gordon, the league and the Browns later today. Yet as we prepared those statements this tweet came across Twitter.
Josh Gordon gets a new job (Sept. 4): Josh Gordon continues to be an interesting figure in Cleveland sports. He went from being hated when the news came out in May that he would be suspended to a sympathetic figure by the time he was actually suspended. We covered the possible new NFL Drug Policy updates yesterday and the connection to Gordon (New Window). Now comes a report that Gordon has a new job lined up.
Impact if Josh Gordon plays this year (Sept. 6): The narrative that Josh Gordon could end of playing this year has gotten stronger as the weekend begins. Many believe that the NFL and NFLPA will come to some agreement soon, even possibly today, on their new HGH, performance enhancement and recreational drug use policy. As a part of that policy speculation is that Wes Welker, Josh Gordon and others will be allowed to play earlier than currently set to. It will not impact tomorrow’s games but could be in place for Week 2. So what impact would Gordon have if he is allowed to play this season?
Josh Gordon’s return inevitable? (Sept. 9): It is possible that sometime today, heck sometime this hour, that news will come out that the NFL and NFLPA have a new drug agreement and that Josh Gordon will be reinstated. The Cleveland Browns would benefit greatly from that as the momentum from the second half of the Steelers game is met with Gordon’s return.
Should Josh Gordon be allowed to play? (Sept. 9): The NFLPA and the NFL are beginning to get closer on a new deal that will revamp the substance abuse policy and will vote on it tomorrow. The new policy will change multiple areas of the policy including the amount of HGH levels in a sample. This will make the cases of a few players like Josh Gordon and Wes Welker even more controversial. With the new standards, both players would not have been suspended for Week 1, and Josh Gordon would have his entire suspension lifted. Will it happen?
Josh Gordon will reportedly be reinstated (Sept. 10): Whether Josh Gordon will play for the Browns is still up in the air. Albert Breer has constantly attempted to protect fans from getting too excited about Gordon being reinstated. He has focused on what he is hearing related to the timeframe of players who will be reinstated. Since Gordon’s test was before the start of this league year it is possible he will not. Yet Chris Mortenson has a different thought.
Josh Gordon to be allowed back into facilities (Sept. 14): The NFL, the Cleveland Browns and around 20 players, including Josh Gordon, are awaiting final decision regarding the new drug policy. A few things still seem out of whack for Gordon even as all reports are that he will be suspended 10 games.
Josh Gordon pleads guilty to DWI (Sept. 16): On a day when the new NFL Drug Policy is likely to be announced, Josh Gordon has reportedly pled guilty to DWI.
Josh Gordon suspended for 10 games (Sept. 19): Josh Gordon officially had his suspension reduced to 10 games today. Connected with that reduced sentence is that Gordon gets to return to workout with the Cleveland Browns and can attend meetings. He is not able to practice with the team but that change in the policy is best for the player indeed.
Josh Gordon officially suspended 10 games (Sept 16): According to Jason La Canfora the NFLPA has begun to notify players of the changes to their suspensions from the new drug policy. One of those is Josh Gordon who is officially out for 10 games.
Josh Gordon could struggle upon his return (Oct. 10): The Cleveland Browns have been far more successful on offense than anyone expected following the suspension of Josh Gordon. Instead of struggling to throw the ball at all, Brian Hoyer has been efficient and effective in the passing game. The key has obviously been the Browns rushing attack, one that has just been downright amazing.
Josh Gordon can dominate upon his return (Oct. 25): The Cleveland Browns face off with the Oakland Raiders tomorrow in a mid-afternoon affair. The Browns are still at .500 and have two winnable games ahead of them but many fans are looking forward to Week 12 and Josh Gordon‘s return.
Josh Gordon suspended Sunday – Digging Deeper (Dec. 27): The Cleveland Browns have suspended Josh Gordon for tomorrow’s game against the Baltimore Ravens. Gordon was reportedly suspended due to missing the team’s walk thru. Gordon’s suspension has little impact on the Browns this season but has almost unending repercussions for this off-season and the one that follows.