Josh Gordon made the surprising announcement last month that he is leaving the Cleveland Browns temporarily despite reports that he has not failed a drug test or violated any NFL rules, and there has been speculation that his leave of absence could have to do with an ongoing child support case.
Back in 2016, a warrant was issued for Gordon’s arrest after he was ordered by a court to submit a DNA sample for a paternity test. Gordon later acknowledged that the child in question was his, but he is still wrapped up in a child support battle with the 3-year-old’s mother.
According to court records obtained by WKYC.com, an attorney representing the child’s mother threatened to “air sensitive information to the public in an effort to embarrass [Gordon]” during a heated child custody dispute just days before Gordon announced he is leaving the Browns. While Gordon was making very little money during his lengthy NFL suspension, he will soon begin collecting his hefty salary again, and a judge ruled on July 20 that Gordon must make monthly child support payments of $6,765 beginning on Aug. 1.
While it’s unclear if the ongoing court battle had anything to do with Gordon’s decision to leave the Browns, Phil Trexler of WKYC.com notes that Gordon checked himself into rehab in September 2016 just days after he received the results of the paternity test.
A judge has issued a temporary order requiring Gordon to submit child support payments, but Gordon’s legal team filed a court motion on July 31 asking that the order be rescinded. Court documents showed that Gordon sent a text message to the mother of the 3-year-old last year discussing child support payments to her and another woman.
“After my debt and monthly bills, I’d say it could range from 2-4k for U and [the second mother],” Gordon wrote. “My salary goes up next year so I could afford more & after that hopefully a new contract & I can afford more but for now … I can barely afford any of it.”
The Browns have said that the issues Gordon is dealing with are personal, though we have been given some hints as to a timetable for his return.
