Josh Gordon announced on Thursday that he is stepping away from the New England Patriots to focus on his mental health, and reports are swirling that he could be facing a permanent ban from the NFL.
Gordon, who left the Cleveland Browns for a short time back in August under similar circumstances, released a statement on Twitter saying he “will be stepping away from the football field for a bit to focus on my mental health.”
— Flash Gordon (@JOSH_GORDONXII) December 20, 2018
According to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Gordon is facing yet another suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy. He could be banished from the league this time.
This is going to banishment. Very sad. Another long road back. https://t.co/gqlp3wPSwQ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 20, 2018
Gordon’s struggles with alcohol and drug addiction have been well-documented. He was seemingly doing well since being traded to the Patriots and had carved out a big role for himself in the team’s offense, but he obviously is still facing the same issues that have threatened his NFL career on numerous occasions.
There were reports prior to the season that Gordon had another drug- or alcohol-related slip-up, but nothing ever came of that. It seems unlikely that he will return to the Patriots this season, and we’re trending toward never seeing him in the NFL again.
