Josh Gordon applies for reinstatement

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It’s unclear when receiver Josh Gordon will be cleared to return to the NFL. It is clear that Gordon is trying to get back in.

Charean Williams of PFT reports that Gordon has applied for reinstatement.

Gordon has been suspended on multiple occasions by the league for violations of the substance-abuse policy. Most recently, the league suspended him during the 2018 season, at a time when he had emerged as a legitimate receiving threat for the Patriots.

And the Patriots definitely could use him, if they can get him back. And the NFL could use him, too, because the more highly-skilled players the NFL can get on the field, the more compelling the games can be, the more people will be inclined to watch the games, the higher the ratings for the games will be, and the more money everyone will make.

In 11 games last season, Gordon caught 40 passes for 720 yards and three touchdown.

71 responses to “Josh Gordon applies for reinstatement

  1. He was a lot of fun to watch last season, so I hope his application is successful. Roger seems to be putting on a show of friendliness to players in recent months (no doubt for CBA purposes), so maybe it’ll happen.

  2. He didn’t hurt his family nor threaten them in anyway. All he did was smoke something that’s legal in most states

    BAN THIS MONSTER FOR LIFE

  3. After all it’s not as if Gordon punched his pregnant girlfriend in the stomach and choked her or broke his son’s arm and beat him with a belt or told his girlfriend that she should be terrified of him ‘TOO,’ indicating that the three-year-old is already terrified. It’s not like Gordon did anything like that, so, sure, he should be reinstated.

  4. This guy truly deserves another chance, I mean, it’s not like he knew the rules, the consequences, or had been suspended before or anything.

  5. No way. He smokes weed and plays for the patriots.

    Tyreek Hill beats up women and children, threatens peoples lives, but plays for the team best positioned to keep patriots out of another super bowl, zero consequences or accountability.

  6. The ‘just smoked some weed’ argument is childishly dismissive of Gordon’s struggle. The man has real mental health and substance abuse issues. It would be a hack of a success story if he has conquered his demons. Certainly getting back to his practicing his trade would go a long way towards that goal.

  7. Smoking weed can ruin your career but break a toddler’s arm and you’re good. NFL logic

  8. I would love to see him back on the field for the Patriots, especially since they need all the talent they can get at receiver, but I really hope that he gets his life in order first. Some things are bigger than football. He needs to get himself in a good place mentally and hopefully overcome his demons.

  9. Goodell should reinstate him after the Tyreek Hill situation….after all, Hill is a weapon in the Chiefs offense that helps their SB chances, but Josh Gordon would be also in the Patriots offense…it’s only fair

  10. So tell me, how many times is your employer going to put up with you constantly breaking company policy rules before they can your ass. Gordon should feel lucky that they even let him re-apply.

  11. The guy just cant stay clean, for his career, no matter what substance it is. Which, that info has not been released. So it could be more than being a pothead.

  12. I hope he does well. Im not a Pats fan but I am fan of people beating their demons and being able to do what they are best at.

    Josh Gordon shouldn’t sell cars, Josh Gordon should be getting touchdowns.

  13. If Josh Gordon is not reinstated we should all buy Josh Gordon jerseys. Or is that banned too? I am tired of Goodell’s kangaroo court.

    Roger, we’re watching you.

  14. I’m legitimately curious where Josh Gordon ranks on a per-game basis in NFL history.

    When he is on the field, he is a monster to others.

    When he is off the field, the monsters consume him.

    He doesnt seem like a bad guy, he wasn’t really one to reset the Days Without An Arrest meter. I wish him the best in controlling his demons.

  15. Queue all the “weed is legal here blah blah” or “it’s just weed” comments….like it or not it’s a substance that is BANNED in the NFL. Gordon is a grown man and fully aware he can’t use it or anything else the NFL bans. These players crack me up cause they can’t stay away from things for a few years in order to make millions of dollars playing a game that will set them up for life of doing nothing but sitting around getting stoned after they are done playing if they so choose to. Josh has a ton of problems and weed isn’t one of them.

  16. If he wasn’t that talented would anyone really care? At some point you have to learn from your mistakes and work hard at self control. I personally think that he is a really talented player, but you must abide by the rules or be banned. I understand this with my job, so why should he be any different? Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right. How many chances does he deserve ?

  17. How many second chances has he had? Since he played eleven games last year I can’t see him being reinstated yet since it would mean he’d only miss five games. Gordon couldn’t even keep himself clean when the Patriots had watchers on this guy. He snuck away from them which is how he got into this recent trouble. Does anyone really think he can pass any drug tests if he gets reinstated?

  18. Gordon’s abuse problems were (are) much more then just weed. He admitted as much publicly. (Codeine and other opiates). Another sad story of an uber talented athlete with a monkey on his back ala Lawrence Taylor and Doc Gooden.

  19. People could have a better understanding of the situation if it was disclosed what his addiction is. Everyone just assumes it’s weed but if it’s something harder than that then maybe he’d garner more support

  20. Incognito wanted to cut his Dad’s head off his dead body. He threatened to shoot funeral home employees and had firearms in his vehicle during the commission of these crimes. If he had smoked a little herb instead, maybe none of that ever happens? Oh well, he’s back in the league regardless.

  21. Caught 40 passes for 720 yards, 18 yards per catch second only to D Jackson last season. Gronk too had a high yards per catch overall and people say Brady only dinks and dunks. If you give Brady big pro bowl type receivers then he is as good as others on the deep ball, not the best but still very good.

  22. Unless you’re a pro athlete, don’t be an idiot and compare your job to theirs, period. Second, the only drugs a player should be suspended for are performance enhancing drugs. Who gives a damn if someone drinks that purple drank, smokes a joint, and finishes it with a line of coke? Addiction is sad yeah and they might need help but until it messes with theie on field performance, it shouldn’t be an issue.

  23. lizzyisnoindian says:
    August 3, 2019 at 11:49 am
    People could have a better understanding of the situation if it was disclosed what his addiction is. Everyone just assumes it’s weed but if it’s something harder than that then maybe he’d garner more support
    ———————————————-

    While there’s nothing definitive out there on what drove his most recent suspension Gordon is on record regarding his mental health problems and abuse of a variety of substances. Most notably in a GQ article from 2017, it isn’t hard to find

  24. You can chug beer in front of a crowd on TV but if you smoke weed they will ban you.

    The morality of this country is a joke.

  25. Next headline reads, “Josh Gordon reinstated then immediately ‘randomly’ drug tested” Next suspension pending test results.

  26. Probation in high school. Multiple suspensions in college. Multiple NFL suspensions. DWI arrest. Admission that he probably had never taken the field completely sober. The list is long.

    Pretending that Josh Gordon just likes to harmlessly smoke a little pot once in a while misses a mountain of other things he has done to get to this point. He doesn’t care about changing and he’s only sorry that he isn’t collecting an NFL paycheck.

    And that’s fine. Josh Gordon can live his life however he wants to live it. But if I were the league, I’d look at his appeal and simply wish him well in his future endeavors.

  27. staff2cj says:
    August 3, 2019 at 11:39 am
    Weed is healthier than liquor
    ++++++++++++++
    Until you start lacing it other drugs which I’m sure he does and starts mixing it with alcohol.

  28. all he did was smoke weed, its not like he beat a 3 year old with a belt or broke his arm. oh wait according to Roger weed is worse.

  29. August 3, 2019 at 1:27 pm
    staff2cj says:
    August 3, 2019 at 11:39 am
    Weed is healthier than liquor
    ++++++++++++++
    Until you start lacing it other drugs which I’m sure he does and starts mixing it with alcohol.
    ************
    Glad to see you know what Gordon does in his personal life.

    For someone that hates the Patriots, you sure do comment on all things Patriots. Even your posts ion Dolphins stories, though less frequent, often mention the Patriots.

    You really are a Patriots fan. Just admit it.

  30. The Patriot organization and players have been supportive of Josh. Hopefully this will give him a sense of accountability. The sooner that he gets back into that environment the better for Josh.

  31. The NFL suspensions are designed to get progressively worse until the 1 calendar year ban/indefinite suspension. Shouldn’t that mean he has to wait until the 1 year mark?

  32. Alcoholism and drug addiction, it’s a horrible and painful existence… Praying for you man…

  33. atlantablewa28-3lead says:

    August 3, 2019 at 2:49 pm

    For all you haters bashing Josh, you’d take him in a heartbeat if he signed with your team.

    Any smart GM wouldn’t bother trying to sign him he can’t even last a full season

  34. We need to stop making criminals and demonizing people with substance abuse. We don’t know what his past has been like for him. He could of been a neglected child etc. The man needs continued treatment, love and support. I know he’s good enough so let him play.

  35. Roger suspending guys for weed, makes me want to know Rogers ” vices ” and how they would reflect on the league. who drug tests him?

  36. it will be total hypocrisy if the league lets him play. then again it’s NE, they get a free pass.

  37. broughtupbrowns says:
    August 3, 2019 at 5:08 pm
    it will be total hypocrisy if the league lets him play. then again it’s NE, they get a free pass.

    —–

    I hate the Pats and Mr. Ugg boots as much as the next guy but huuuh? Free pass? Draft picks, 7 figure fine and 25% of the season for their franchise quarterback all because molecules get closer together when they’re cold?

    I think our definition of “free pass” is different. I’ll go check urban dictionary to see if the kids these days are using it differently.

  38. First of all, it’s not just “weed.” Secondly, even if it was, the NFL has banned its use. Like it or not, businesses can do that no matter the legality of it in any particular State. The NFL has, for the time being, determined its banning as best for THEIR business. Maybe that will change, but I wouldn’t count on that happening. The players are employees, plain and simple they must follow the company rules to remain employed.

    In Gordon’s case, he clearly needs professional help, and, for his sake, I hope he can get past the issues.

  39. footballisbetterthanyourfavoritesport says:
    August 3, 2019 at 5:21 pm

    I hate the Pats and Mr. Ugg boots as much as the next guy but huuuh? Free pass? Draft picks, 7 figure fine and 25% of the season for their franchise quarterback all because molecules get closer together when they’re cold?
    ———————————————————————
    Someone was clearly paying attention during science class.
    I bet that person also understands that expansion joints on steel bridges actually serve a purpose. Unlike haters who couldn’t understand the concept of a football losing pressure due to cold.

    Haters might have their brains melt if they could ever see the concept of molecules in steel getting closer to together when they’re cold. The same molecules move apart when they get warm. Engineers install expansion joints on bridges to allow the movement of the road to prevent cracking.

    6th grade science teaches demonstrate this concept with a steel ball and a steel ring. The ball can’t fit through the ring until the ring is first heated over a flame. After the ring cools down the ball can’t fit through again.

  40. Hey Josh, just put on a blue suit white shirt with a red tie and your in. No one will care if you rape or break arms or walk down Broadway and shoot someone.

  41. Big Pats fan here, but isn’t Gordon the guy who was over jumping over bulls in Spain a few weeks ago? Doesn’t SEEM real grounded. Hope he can come back and help the team, though, and do hope he gets his act together….

  42. I’m all for second chances but he’s been abusing since middle school. He needs serious help above football. His problem isn’t just weed for those who only read headlines. He’s an addict and an enabled addict and he admits it. Letting him pick and choose when he wants to play only enables him more.

  43. wolverineinnc says:
    August 3, 2019 at 8:29 pm
    Big Pats fan here, but isn’t Gordon the guy who was over jumping over bulls in Spain a few weeks ago? Doesn’t SEEM real grounded. Hope he can come back and help the team, though, and do hope he gets his act together….
    ————————
    “Jul 11, 2019 – Josh Norman is doing Gap Year stuff, including running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. “

  44. C’mon Roger, while everyone deserves a ‘second’ chance, Josh Gordon deserves 11 or 12 of them.

  45. camdenyard says:
    August 3, 2019 at 10:36 pm
    This is beyond a joke at this point.

    ————————-
    I would have said that too, even did for a bit. But then you look at the things the league lets slide for other players and suddenly non PED substance abuse makes no sense as the item to take their big hard stance on.

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