Josh Gordon has not appeared in an NFL game since 2014, and there was a stretch of time when the Cleveland Browns wide receiver was not exactly focused on staying in shape.
On Monday, Browns safety Donte Whitner told reporters at the Cleveland Auto Show that it was not too long ago that Gordon weighed as much as a linebacker.
“Over the last couple months, just watching him, watching Instagram and the hard work that he put in, the transformation that he made with his body,” Whitner said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “I remember seeing him at the 9 downtown and him being like 255 pounds, and then going on down to four or five or sixth months later, shedding 20, 25, 30 pounds and looking like he did before the suspension started.”
Gordon seemingly refuted that narrative with a tweet on Tuesday morning:
C'mon now, my story is crazy enough.. No need for fabrication.. Smh.. https://t.co/HTVE7G8ZaQ
— Flash Gordon (@JOSH_GORDONXII) March 1, 2016
But Whitner was not trying to create problems for Gordon. In fact, Whitner said he has seen enough from Gordon to know the 23-year-old is one of the best receivers he has ever played with. He also said he believes Gordon will “be an All-Pro again” and has learned from his mistakes.
“I understand he’s a young guy,” Whitner said. “He’s made a few mistakes in his career, and when you hit rock bottom the way he did, there’s nowhere else to go but up.”
It seems like a long time ago, but Gordon caught 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in just 14 games in 2013. His talent is undeniable, and the Browns recently said they are willing to give him another chance.
Gordon missed the entire 2015 season after he was suspended indefinitely for failing another drug test, reportedly because he drank alcohol while he was still in the NFL’s intervention program. Gordon was being tested as part of the terms for his reinstatement from a previous 10-game suspension for pleading guilty to driving while impaired.
Hue Jackson recently made some comments about Gordon that sounded noncommittal, but all signs point to the receiver being on his way back to Cleveland.
