Josh Gordon is reportedly interested in playing in the Canadian Football League while he is suspended from NFL action for the next year, but is there any way he can make that happen? Probably not.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Calgary Stampeders hold the rights to Gordon and “badly want to sign him.” ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported on Wednesday morning that Gordon was exploring the possibility of playing for Calgary, but it doesn’t sound like he has a chance. There are a number of reasons for that.
For starters, a CFL official said the league’s rules prohibit players who are under contract but suspended from another league to play for a CFL team. Ricky Williams played for the Toronto Argonauts while under suspension from the NFL in 2006, but he was apparently able to do that by way of a loophole that has since been closed.
To make Gordon’s wish even less likely to come true, there is a provision in his contract with the Cleveland Browns that would prevent him from heading north of the border to play. Gordon would need the team’s permission, and Mary Kay Cabot reports — unsurprisingly — that the team is not willing to grant it.
If Gordon really thought he should be allowed to play in Canada while suspended from the NFL, he could always explore legal action. The chances of him getting anywhere are slim to none.
