Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon was recently hit with an indefinite suspension, and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network (video link) reports that the suspension stemmed from multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy and was not based upon just one failed test. Further, Rapoport says that Gordon’s drug use was not limited to marijuana, so he obviously has bigger concerns than football at the moment.
However, because the ban is indefinite and does not carry a minimum number of games, it is possible that Gordon could return for the start of the 2019 season, as Rapoport notes. But the odds of that seem quite long, as Gordon would have to prove to the league that he can remain clean for a sustained period of time.
Gordon was enjoying a productive stint with the Patriots, having posted 720 yards and three scores in 11 games with the team. There was even chatter that New England should use a first-round tender on Gordon at season’s end to prevent another club from poaching him, and a league source tells Ben Volin of the Boston Globe that Gordon and quarterback Tom Brady were developing a genuine bond.
Volin also notes that the Patriots did everything they could to support Gordon: they threw him a cookout shortly after he was traded to the team in September, receivers coach Chad O’Shea and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels took him under their wing and did their best to keep him occupied, and character development coach and pastor Jack Easterby made Gordon his No. 1 project.
Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the Patriots also assigned people to be with Gordon at all times so that he could avoid temptation, but that proved to be unsuccessful. Schefter suggests that Gordon “eluded” the team’s security network during the November 18 bye weekend, but as Rapoport stated, Gordon violated the league’s drug policy multiple times. Even league commissioner Roger Goodell tried to help Gordon instead of simply banishing him, but Gordon has not been able to shake his demons despite all of the safeguards designed to protect him.
The Patriots, though, have not given up on the troubled talent. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports also hears that Gordon was a well-liked member of the Patriots and a good teammate, and the club — which apparently had no idea a suspension was coming — hopes to continue supporting him regardless of whether he ever plays another snap.
Down time is the devils time
The fact that they are still willing to help him even if he never plays again says a lot about how they are run.
Talk is cheap, we all know how they run…
circles around other franchises.
With the cameras and air pumps
Sad. Just sad….
Sorry for being a bit skeptical but I’m honestly not buying that he failed multiple times given their history with discipline. I also believe this is the first time that we’ve heard goodell trying to help a player. Absolutely correct me if I’m wrong, it just doesn’t seem like goodell.
The NFL wants no more black eyes.
Goodell wants this madness? Looks good for the shield?
It seems to me that this isn’t the usual situation. I think people around Gordon truly like and feel for the guy. It seems as though he is a good person battling fierce demons.
I think other players in trouble have been viewed as people making dumb mistakes that are being made to suffer the consequences. I think Gordon is seen as a man fighting a battle that he’s been losing.
Addiction is horrible. Honestly praying for him. I’ve lost loved ones to addiction and addiction doesn’t make you a bad person.
The whole reason Cleveland even dumped him was because he relapsed, so I’m not surprised at all; a suspension could have come from that alone. NE rolled the dice and lost. And it was already reported they played him after knowing he had relapsed yet again and a suspension was looming.
Time to say bye bye. Justin Blackman all over again !