APBrowns receiver Josh Gordon is suspended for the 2015 season. While he serves that suspension, he’ll be fighting the suspension that ended his 2014 season.
The NFL Players Association has filed a grievance on Gordon’s behalf over the Browns suspending him for the 2015 season finale. We noted this month that the grievance was coming soon, and Adam Schefter of ESPN reported today that the grievance has now officially been filed.
This is significant for Gordon not so much because the Browns docked him his game check for Week 17 but because the suspension could cost him a lot of money on his next contract: If Gordon wins the grievance and then avoids any further problems after he’s reinstated following his current suspension, he becomes a free agent after the 2016 season. If Gordon’s suspension is upheld, he won’t become a free agent until after the 2017 season.
The reason is that players don’t accrue a season toward free agency until they’ve been on the roster for six games. Gordon was suspended for the first 10 games of the 2014 season, which means Week 17 would have been his sixth game. Because the Browns suspended Gordon for Week 17, he only played in five games and therefore doesn’t get a season toward free agency.
Gordon still has a long way to go before free agency is even an issue. He needs to stay out of trouble while he’s suspended in 2015, get reinstated in 2016, and then stay out of trouble while playing well enough in 2016 that teams are willing to spend a lot of money on him. Considering Gordon’s inability to keep himself out of trouble so far in his college and pro playing career, it’s no sure thing that he’ll stay out of trouble for the next two years.
But if Gordon does stay out of trouble, and if he plays as well in 2016 as he played when he led the NFL in receiving yards in 2013, he could be a hot commodity in free agency. He wants to hit free agency in the spring of 2017 rather than the spring of 2018, and that’s why he wants to win this grievance.
Dude isn’t worth a dime. Can run and catch, but problematic in locker room and off the field.
If he wins, and gets his week 17 game check, it may well be the last NFL game check he ever cashes.
*Sigh
-Life-long Browns Fan
He will not stay out of trouble, he will waste his talents and be working at Burger King in no time.
Just go sell some cars, Gordon. That’s the only career you have left.
It’s the Browns fault that he missed a Saturday walk-through? This grievance is just another example of Josh not accepting responsibility for HIS actions.
Whats the point, no one in their right mind would ever sign this dude. Would have to be one of thos edeals where it is a one year contract, with a team option after every season. And he makes minimum with a ton of encentives in the contract.
This guy is the epitome of the word “knucklehead”. Dude is repeatedly suspended because he’s constantly in trouble, yet he has the audacity to file a grievance. What a putz!
He was all set to play … and then he got high.
This cat just does not get it!
Just kick him out of the league. Dude is a waste of talent, money, and time. Hundreds of people bust their behinds to get a shot at making a practice squad. This guy has hall of fame potential and talent and he just packs it in a bong and rips it
There’s a grievance filed for everything nowadays. Good ol’ NFLPA.
So GORDON does drugs, and it affects his next contract….and the NFLPA says the BROWNS are to blame?
Show me evidence that the Browns gave the drugs to Gordon then I’ll buy it but someone in the media HAS to call out Gordon for his total lack of self-accountability. In all actuality, the media hasn’t held Gordon accountable either, they too blame everything on the NFL and the employer.
Mr. Gordon, please stop, you’re just wasting yours and everyone else’s time.
Gordon is the most severely punished player for doing weed since Ricky Williams. Actually his punishment surpasses Williams’.
Getting is pretty much his only crime…and many others are doing it, but not getting caught. One wonders whether the NFL will follow along with changes in Marijuana laws state-to-state and quit fighting the war on drugs.
Marijuana is a lifestyle thing like drinking alcohol……it is not a PED or an advantage on the field. Players shouldn’t play high or drunk, but they should be allowed to do both in their own personal time.
Gordon is a scapegoat for many people’s behavior. Maybe because he wasn’t clever enough to not get caught, yes, but a scapegoat all the same.
Wasted talent, just like Justin Blackman. And to think, I have to follow all the rules and pass all the tests, just to keep my menial job, that pays enough to keep me out of the food stamp line, but not much more.
LOL!
The league office should not only reject the grievance, but tack on a hefty fine for wasting their time.
“There’s always barber college” klroot!!!
saundman, it’s not about marijuana. He got a DUI, entered the substance abuse program, but then tested positive for alcohol. The NFL was mandated to suspend him a year for that.
dryzzt23 says: Feb 17, 2015 12:00 PM
So GORDON does drugs, and it affects his next contract….and the NFLPA says the BROWNS are to blame?
Show me evidence that the Browns gave the drugs to Gordon then I’ll buy it but someone in the media HAS to call out Gordon for his total lack of self-accountability. In all actuality, the media hasn’t held Gordon accountable either, they too blame everything on the NFL and the employer.
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… he wasn’t suspended the final game of the season for drugs…
Smart money says Gordon never plays in the league again. He missed a practice and the one game suspension will be upheld. He will have to play well and stay clean for 2016 and 2017 and IF he does all of that – some desperate team will pay him.
….the world needs ditch diggers too !!’
saundman2000 says: Feb 17, 2015 12:03 PM
Gordon is the most severely punished player for doing weed since Ricky Williams. Actually his punishment surpasses Williams’.
Getting is pretty much his only crime…and many others are doing it, but not getting caught. One wonders whether the NFL will follow along with changes in Marijuana laws state-to-state and quit fighting the war on drugs.
Marijuana is a lifestyle thing like drinking alcohol……it is not a PED or an advantage on the field. Players shouldn’t play high or drunk, but they should be allowed to do both in their own personal time.
Gordon is a scapegoat for many people’s behavior. Maybe because he wasn’t clever enough to not get caught, yes, but a scapegoat all the same.
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The NFL allowing someone to smoke weed is the NFL allowing someone to break the law. Sure there’s a difference between domestic violence, murder, etc… but it’s still breaking the law. Also, you miss the community element of children looking up to these guys. Getting caught brings the scrutiny, yes, but his choices are what is really the problem. If you want to work at a company that does not have a drug policy, feel free to. If you want to work for the NFL, you’ll follow their rules… as is with any company.
Just because you view pot (as well as I do) as a minimal offense, doesn’t mean the NFL can afford to view it the same. Sure other guys are doing it and don’t get caught, but Gordon being an idiot and not refraining/taking precautions is completely egregious.
In response the NFL is filing a grievance over Gordon being a moron. Really how many chances will this guy have to prove that he just doesn’t get it? It’s a shame he hasn’t figured it out yet.
This guy makes me wonder about the argument that weed doesn’t have negative side effects…
Biting the hand that feeds you is not a smart thing.
saundman2000 says:
Feb 17, 2015 12:03 PM
Gordon is the most severely punished player for doing weed since Ricky Williams. Actually his punishment surpasses Williams’.
Getting is pretty much his only crime…and many others are doing it, but not getting caught. One wonders whether the NFL will follow along with changes in Marijuana laws state-to-state and quit fighting the war on drugs.
Marijuana is a lifestyle thing like drinfoll alcohol……it is not a PED or an advantage on the field. Players shouldn’t play high or drunk, but they should be allowed to do both in their own personal time.
Gordon is a scapegoat for many people’s behavior. Maybe because he wasn’t clever enough to not get caught, yes, but a scapegoat all the same.
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Sorry. I’m as liberal as anyone when it comes to weed and alcohol. I really am.. . but Gordon didn’t get put in this situation off just one or even two failed test. I honestly don’t know if he’s an addict because only someone close to him or a trained substance abuse counselor can determine that not talking heads (looking at you Stephen A. Smith, Cris Carter)….But I do know because he cannot follow the rules of his organization he placed himself in this situation. All I’ve heard from him are excuses. I read his letter. And while I agree with what he said regarding the talking heads I still saw excuse after you excuse for why he’s in his current position. At a certain point you have to take responsibility for your actions or suffer the consequences.
“frotoon2 says:
Feb 17, 2015 12:13 PM
saundman, it’s not about marijuana. He got a DUI, entered the substance abuse program, but then tested positive for alcohol. The NFL was mandated to suspend him a year for that.”
Sure. That is purely not being disciplined enough to walk a straight line and stay clean for a while.
But, This is a very severe punishment for using a substance that many people use. His DUI was .09 in a state where the limit was .08. How many times do players regularly hit this level of intoxication? He is doing MJ which many many players do.
I take him as being careless while performing behavior which is not unusual….and being unlucky in getting caught.
I make no excuses for him and see what he did as wrong, but he is getting punished severely for what I would consider a petty infraction compared to whipping a child or punching a woman unconscious. Both Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson are playing next year. They HURT people….and pretty bad. Gordon hurt no one but himself. Somehow this just doesn’t seem proportionate or fair.
Supplement to his car salesman job. Can’t feel a bit sorry for you Josh.
We get that you guys are pro players/union but why omit pertinent information in order to bolster your stance? The Browns suspended Gordon because he didn’t go to practice. That is a legitimate reason for a one game suspension and has been done by several teams in the past. There is no overly harsh treatment or singling him out. He is complaining because that cost him an accrued season because he was suspended for the first 10 games as well. If he would have gone to practice he would not have been suspended. He has no case and his predicament is of his own making. It’s a moot point anyway because his history shows that his likelihood of staying clean and out of trouble for a year is as close to zero as you can get. He has probably played his last NFL game.
I doubt any team will want to spend a dime on this guy in free agency.
Then again, the stupidity of some owners is sometimes baffling.
See what happens? You mess your life up with drugs and drinking and then have to use lawyers to try to recoup some of the money you blew. Idiotic shame. Get your life straight.
He should include in the grievance that the Browns can’t draft him a decent QB.
In other words, Josh Gordon will never reach free agency.
Gordon supporters claim that the punishment (suspension) doesn’t fit the “crime” (getting wasted at Manziel’s party and missing a meeting). However, he’s already had 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chances to get it right and he’s blown every single opportunity to make amends. Guys like Gordon simply don’t get it and won’t take responsibility for his actions until something catastrophic happens like getting fired or him killing someone while driving drunk/high. At least Manziel acknowledged his problem and is going to rehab.
I’m on the Browns’ side on this issue.
I don’t blame the Browns;however, they always seem to grab the wrong players. I do know that he wants out.
I can’t imagine wasting a God given gift. Anyone seen Amadeus?? I doubt Josh has but goodness, it is eerily similar. Most of us wish we had his talent and wouldn’t waste it. Sad.
This bit of news is only significant to him, Even if he stays clean the Browns will trade him next year! He doesn’t deserve another chance!!
The clown has a ten cent head. He should be worried about what he has to do to get back in the league in 2016 – and forget about 2017.
But, there will always be a segment of the population that are idiots and will never “get it”. Gordon is one of those.
He needs a strong locker room with good veteran leadership as well as strong coaching. I could see the Pats taking a flyer on him after he comes back at vet minimum.
No team should be offering him more than that until he can get through a couple seasons with no incidents or suspensions.
As a former union steward and vice-president I will tell you what I think the appeal will be based on. It has has nothing to do with what he did with drugs or drink – the NFL has punished him already for those offenses.
It is being late for or missing altogether required team functions, be it practice or walk-thrus. We don’t know how many times this has happened – although it’s widely reported to be multiple times.
Say for example it was 5 times.
The NFLPA will scour records for any example of any Browns’ player to have 5 or more incidents and NOT be suspended. This argument is known as disparate treatment.
Should such an example be found, the NFLPA will argue that Gordon was treated unfairly and more harshly than some other player(s) under the same circumstances. A good body of labor law exists to win in this situation.
The fact that the NFLPA has filed a grievence tells me that such an example probably exists. At the very least, the Browns will have to share past records of such incidents to satisfy the union that disparate treatment has not occurred.
Basically, if you didn’t suspend someone else for the same number of offenses in the past – you cannot suspend Gordon.
Josh, don’t go away mad. Just go away.
Winnipeg Jets on line 1!!!!
Cue the envious 9 to 5 workers without the god given talent who work for pennies by comparison in 3-2-1…
I wish him the best. His last infraction was drinking a beer. Like Denzel says in Equalizer to the security guard in training. Progress. I’m not going to wish evil on a guy for any problems he might have. i don’t even know him and I’m of the male gender so I don’t act like that
Josh “Flash” Gordon…
Flash as your career was a flash in the pan… over in a flash…
Thanks for the memories… all 12 of them…
And poor Josh feels that everybody is picking on him for no good reason.
Would you buy a car from Gordon? You couldn’t believe a word he says. Oh wait, he’s perfect. Never mind.
farfig says: Feb 17, 2015 1:34 PM
As a former union steward and vice-president I will tell you what I think the appeal will be based on. It has has nothing to do with what he did with drugs or drink – the NFL has punished him already for those offenses.
It is being late for or missing altogether required team functions, be it practice or walk-thrus. We don’t know how many times this has happened – although it’s widely reported to be multiple times.
Say for example it was 5 times.
The NFLPA will scour records for any example of any Browns’ player to have 5 or more incidents and NOT be suspended. This argument is known as disparate treatment.
Should such an example be found, the NFLPA will argue that Gordon was treated unfairly and more harshly than some other player(s) under the same circumstances. A good body of labor law exists to win in this situation.
The fact that the NFLPA has filed a grievence tells me that such an example probably exists. At the very least, the Browns will have to share past records of such incidents to satisfy the union that disparate treatment has not occurred.
Basically, if you didn’t suspend someone else for the same number of offenses in the past – you cannot suspend Gordon.
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That’s going to be tough for Cleveland to dig all the way back to ….well….the same day when they suspended Johnny Manziel and Justin Gilbert for the same thing.
Gordon will be a free agent in 2016 after the Browns cut him. He’s too unreliable. They have to move on without him.
Thanks farfig. Yours was easily the most interesting and informative comment. So many just want to exercise their fingers. It must be that, with so much junk appearing.
Union supporters just don’t get it.
excessivedrinking says: Feb 17, 2015 9:25 PM
Union supporters just don’t get it.
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My comment had nothing to do with union support or not……..but you couldn’t resist jumping at the red meat, could you?
Disparate treatment is just simply a kind of guarantee of equal treatment for the same offense – and something all employers with an once of conscious should abide by anyway.
It means they can’t make an example of you because they don’t like your face while the boss’ son gets a pass……
Fair and equal treatment – that’s all. So put away your anti-union bias, read a bit closer – and maybe learn something.