Words by Jiggy Jones
Former All Pro wide receiver, Josh Gordon, will be eligible to make his return to the NFL on November 20. Gordon was granted a conditional reinstatement by the league and its commissioner, Rodger Goodell, on Wednesday (November 1). He can begin practicing with the team, and may be able to play up to five games this season starting December 3, if he lives up to the expectations of his reinstatement. The Cleveland Browns wide receiver, was suspended by the NFL indefinitely in 2014 after violating the league’s drug policy multiple times. Goodell commented on the situation:
All of us at the league office want him to have every opportunity to resume his career and to be successful in the NFL. His commitment to sobriety and to reaching his goals in football and beyond will determine his success. It’s ultimately is up to Josh.
Gordon sat down with The Uninterrupted early last month to document his experiences in rehab and his plans to return to the NFL. During this process, he has made changes for the better. Although he has not played an NFL game since 2014, the former Baylor receiver, is in the best shape of his life, according to manager, Michael Johnson.
Get Josh Gordon in a Cleveland Browns uniform immediately. The team has yet to win a game this season and sit at the pit of the NFL, along with the San Francisco 49ers. Any form of positivity is necessary for this team at this point.
“He’s physical; he’s fast; he can make plays on the ball, so he’s definitely one of the best receivers that I’ve played with,” said Brown linebacker, Chris Kirskey, who was a rookie when Gordon last played for the Browns.
The best case scenario is that Gordon comes back and helps the team win a game or two or three. If Gordon is just a flash of what he displayed in 2013, the Browns will be more than pleased. That will only increase his value if the Browns decide to go in another direction. If not, he’ll come back fresh, next season with a full training camp ahead of him. Overall, the 6’3” standout, has gotten a lot of support thus far, and it will only continue.
