Josh Gordon Stepping Away from Football in Advance of this Sunday's Game; Returned to the Reserve/Commissioner Suspended List Indefinitely

[H2o]

It's to the point now that I actually feel sympathy for the guy. It's obvious he has tried to change things, go through therapy, rehab stints, and whatever else. He just can't seem to keep it together. I hope he can for his life outside of football if nothing else. 

[MrEpsYtown]

4 minutes ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

I apologize for my previous posts, but will not delete them, hope they aren't too harsh, but this is obviously something I am hypersensitive about.  I worked in the field for close to 16 years and if you truly understood addiction, it is way more than simply making a choice.

 

I am sorry if I offended, but I simply don't believe this guy and I think a lot of people have a hard time believing him. I didn't mean to offend, I was simply stating that a lot of people don't recognize Gordon's issues as a mental health issue. Are those people wrong? Yes. Is he lying? In my opinion, probably. Should he be given the benefit of the doubt? At this point, I say no. That's kind of where I stand on Gordon's situation, so I apologize if I hit a nerve. I just think that it is situations like his that cause people to lack sensitivity for mental health issues. 

[TuelTime]

25 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

He smokes pot and is using mental health as an excuse. One of the reasons people struggle recognizing mental health as a legit issue is the guys like this who will use it as a crutch. 

 

Or he has mental health issues and uses marijuana to medicate. It is a shame that one of the best WRs in the game isn't able to smoke a little weed and play football but it is okay to pump them full of opiates so they can get back in the game. These guys are getting CTE from receiving repeated blows to the head. But yeah, lets worry about them puffing a little devil's lettuce. The rampant ignorance in this country is sickening.

Edited December 20, 2018 by TuelTime

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

Come on now ...  

 

You are supposed to quit  

 

AT HALFTIME 

[Dablitzkrieg]

2 minutes ago, MrEpsYtown said:

 

I am sorry if I offended, but I simply don't believe this guy and I think a lot of people have a hard time believing him. I didn't mean to offend, I was simply stating that a lot of people don't recognize Gordon's issues as a mental health issue. Are those people wrong? Yes. Is he lying? In my opinion, probably. Should he be given the benefit of the doubt? At this point, I say no. That's kind of where I stand on Gordon's situation, so I apologize if I hit a nerve. I just think that it is situations like his that cause people to lack sensitivity for mental health issues. 

Apology accepted.  My reaction was too harsh.  We can agree to disagree.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

 

 

FWIW ....  I hope he gets the help he needs 

[Brianmoorman4jesus]

Just kick this guy out of the league for life

[dollars 2 donuts]

32 minutes ago, Seasons1992 said:

I hope the young man quits football for good, and gets right in his personal life. Kinda like Aaron Maybin did.

 

Side note: If we relentlessly blitz this week, I could see us winning.

 

 

Well said, Seasons.  However, do you think this is a team that is going to decide to relentlessly blitz?

[row_33]

50 minutes ago, Mark80 said:

It is a very good sign when someone can recognize they are having issues and address them before they turn into something big.  Realizing you need help / time away or whatever and then seeking that help is something many with mental health issues don't / cannot do.  Good for him that he has his priorities right it seems.  Personally, I wish him well.

 

And some of you posters are, quite simply, heartless.

 

Edit - well, now that it is being reported he is in line for suspension I guess I can take most of this back.  Although I still wish him well and hope he can get his life back on track with proper treatment.

 

that's okay, our opinions are all valid (mostly)

 

hope he gets help to shake off his demons, mostly for the sake of his family and friends he spends the next 40 years around...

 

 

[PatsFanNH]

31 minutes ago, Azucho98 said:

Hahahahha!  Dumb Cheatriots!  Why the hell did they even think about signing that loser?  I hope this is it for him in the NFL.

He was worth the risk put up 750 yards 6 TD in 8 games.. I doubt any 5th rounder they drafted do that in 3 years.. 

 

that said i was hoping he stay clean till at least the playoffs started..  oh well now Dorsett and Paterson need step up.  I think Dorsett can.

[whatdrought]

30 minutes ago, Mark80 said:

 

Yep, posted before it mentioned the suspension.  That's what I get for giving people the benefit of the doubt.

 

But still, addiction is no joking matter and neither are mental health issues in general.  Thought he made a lot of progress.  Guess not, sad.

 

I get ya. 

 

His post seemed pretty “apologizing cause I got caught.” To me.

[Charlottebillsfan2]

On a personal level it sucks to see someone go down this path. 

 

On the business/football side of it, the Patriots just lost their top WR from a yards and YPG perspective. I'm not going to lie that makes me smile. Especially since they are always smarter then everyone else. Well that moved just blew up on them! Plus this will probably further hurt Tom from earning $4 million in Bonuses. 

 

https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/patriots-qb-tom-brady-could-miss-5m-in-performance-bonuses-this-season

[CommonCents]

Wrong Josh.

[Just Joshin']

Many people have an addiction issue.  I do not recall this reaction with Bryant or other players.  Is it because they used the mental health approach in the announcement?

 

The difference between Gordon and a person off the street is the support and resources available.  He has more than the vast majority of people who struggle with addiction. Whether fair or not, that impacts the POV.

[dollars 2 donuts]

23 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

 

 

Boy, Corner, believe me I know the above is not the point of this thread and I am with those here who hope that this guy gets his life straight, even if it means he never gets back to football.

 

...and I know I am being petty, but the above bugs me.

 

I Like Rap, but I am annoyed (maybe needlessly) at the "let's pat Belichek on the back for making a good decision even though it didn't work out."

 

The guy gave production that he was very capable of, and then some.  BB didn't take a piece of coal and turn it into a diamond.  He took a very talented receiver and got reasonable production out of him until his next suspension.  No pats really necessary for a receiver needy team like NE.

 

Edited December 20, 2018 by dollars 2 donuts

[NewEra]

35 minutes ago, Azucho98 said:

Josh Gordon is a loser.  Period. I didn't say anything about him fighting and addiction problem....you did.

 

What makes him a loser?  Because he’s an addict?

[Thriftygamer83]

45 minutes ago, Seasons1992 said:

I hope the young man quits football for good, and gets right in his personal life. Kinda like Aaron Maybin did.

 

Side note: If we relentlessly blitz this week, I could see us winning.

 

Aaron Maybin pretty much is what Taylor Mali talked about in what teachers make.  People scoff at him and mock him as being a teacher for those who don’t teaching.  I don’t my own experience in internships for pre-schools taught me that and it was an eye opening experience.  

[1st Ammendment NoMas]

Sad, I was rooting for the kid, but it's harder when he's on the Patriots. I hope he can come back if he wants and join another team. On the plus side, that's one less weapon Tommy boy will have on Sunday. Look for the resurrection of Hogan against his old mates.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I’ll wait to hear what he tested positive for before I weigh in on whether or not he “suffers from addiction.”  That phrase sees to be thrown around quite liberally now a days.

[Captain_Quint]

Someone else said it before, but why not give the CFL a shot? The talent is still there and he'll make some money doing it. 

 

At least then he can focus on football and not have to look over his shoulder for a useless drug test. As far as I know, he doesnt have drug issues beyond weed. 

[C.Biscuit97]

 

drug testing is such a joke (just do a bunch of coke, Molly, and acid and you’re good in 2 days!) and it’s embarrassing weed is still illegal.  But man, this dude has problems if he can’t get it together for millions of dollars.  I feel like we will read about him in a few years and it won’t be good.

 

that said, sign him to a future’s contract!  Our “culture” will get him back on track.

[Thriftygamer83]

6 minutes ago, ALLEN1QB said:

YEP 100%

No addict is a loser and there’s always time to turn it around.  One drug I noticed folks like @ALLEN1QB cannot quite kick is being a hypocrite. It makes them an addict to their own selfish pride and condescending remarks.  

[C.Biscuit97]

3 minutes ago, Captain_Quint said:

Someone else said it before, but why not give the CFL a shot? The talent is still there and he'll make some money doing it. 

 

At least then he can focus on football and not have to look over his shoulder for a useless drug test. As far as I know, he doesnt have drug issues beyond weed. 

The rumor is he never really liked football.  Apparently, they had to talk him out of quitting when he was at Baylor.  If only Austin Proehl has his talent. 

[WhyteDwarf]

1 hour ago, jr1 said:

he can't stop even when millions are on the line

 

Or the millions he has is making it harder to stop.

[buffaloboyinATL]

Wow. I know it is easier said than done, but I am always amazed when guys can’t get out of their own way in situations like this.

 

i really hope he figures this thing out.

[Captain_Quint]

5 minutes ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

The rumor is he never really liked football.  Apparently, they had to talk him out of quitting when he was at Baylor.  If only Austin Proehl has his talent. 

Well if that's the case, then it makes sense. Everyone is their own person. I just feel like if you can shed all that crap (i.e. drug testing for weed, suspensions, probation, and a higher level of scrutiny based on his history), he might enjoy football and life a little more. 

[Offside Number 76]

1 hour ago, jr1 said:

he can't stop even when millions are on the line

 

Yeah, that's why they call it a disease.

[row_33]

10 minutes ago, buffaloboyinATL said:

Wow. I know it is easier said than done, but I am always amazed when guys can’t get out of their own way in situations like this.

 

i really hope he figures this thing out.

 

apparently it isn't addictive.....

 

they said cocaine wasn't either until the early 1980s....

 

oops....

 

 

[Seasons1992]

37 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

 

Well said, Seasons.  However, do you think this is a team that is going to decide to relentlessly blitz?

 

Do I? No.......but it's the well-known blueprint on beating a peak-era Brady, let alone the breaking-down version we're seeing these days.

[WotAGuy]

I can’t speak to Gordon’s issues but wish him well. 

For anyone here struggling with addiction - keep fighting and never give up. 

For anyone staying sober - God bless and keep it up ODAT!

[BillsMafia13]

23 minutes ago, Thriftygamer83 said:

No addict is a loser and there’s always time to turn it around.  One drug I noticed folks like @ALLEN1QB cannot quite kick is being a hypocrite. It makes them an addict to their own selfish pride and condescending remarks.  

Cant test positive for vanity*

[CommonCents]

He needs better people around him. It’s amazing how much attention this gets but everyone avoids the obvious mistake being made. Who the heck is writing this “I’m walking away to get better” crap. No, you’re not walking away. You’re being suspensed again and possibly banished from the league for your repeated failures. 

 

 

[elroy16]

I had never really read into Gordon's past but came across this article.

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/11/28/josh-gordon-interview-cleveland-browns-nfl

 

 

Brutal up bringing. 

 

 

Quote

If I was going to be a thug or a gangster,” Gordon says flatly, “I was going to be the best gangster out there.”

 

Gordon grew up with two older brothers in the Fondren neighborhood of southwest Houston, his family bouncing from apartment to apartment, he says, as eviction notices piled up, rarely able to turn on the lights. He describes being thrown out of two middle schools for stealing electronics from other students. He says he began smoking marijuana in seventh grade, taking Xanax in eighth—and still he managed to land a basketball scholarship to the private Westbury Christian School. He made it to 10th grade before he was thrown out of there as well.

 

 

There's no surprise that someone who went through stuff like that as a kid has trouble keeping their life together. It's funny in a sad way when people say, "Can't even stop smoking with millions on the line."

 

Almost nothing matters to people when it comes to addiction and mental illness. People will steal, lie, and deceive everyone they love if they're addicted. 

 

 

Hopefully he gets help and finds a way to a healthier life, if nothing else, so he can be there for his kids. 

 

[BillsMafia13]

1 hour ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

I agree. It's a really uneducated and ignorant POV to express.

Wrong, over the last 10 years i probably havent smoked 20 days total and had no reason to stop. Until I started looking for a new job, my current/next job wont pay jack, especially compared to his opportunity. Was it 4 failed tests in 5 years? He just sounds like a mentally weak person with no will power or ability to recognize what an opportunity he has been given.  Spoken by a weed "addict" with 0 will power. 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[wppete]

I really don’t get it. Is it a mental issue? Is it weed? How can you be addicted to weed? I don’t get it. Is it something else? Coke? Meth? Herion?

[BringBackOrton]

1 hour ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

So a guy who battles an addiction problem is a loser?

Funny how quick “weed isn’t addictive and should be legal” turns to “he has an addiction problem bro!”

[elroy16]

17 minutes ago, row_33 said:

 

apparently it isn't addictive.....

 

they said cocaine wasn't either until the early 1980s....

 

oops....

 

 

 

33 minutes ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

I’ll wait to hear what he tested positive for before I weigh in on whether or not he “suffers from addiction.”  That phrase sees to be thrown around quite liberally now a days.

 

 

 

These are such misguided posts. You can become addicted to almost anything. People become addicted to shopping, gambling, working out, gaming, or whatever else. Just because something isn't "addicting" doesn't mean someone can't develop an addiction. 

[26CornerBlitz]

2 minutes ago, BillsMafia13 said:

Wrong, over the last 10 years i probably havent smoked 20 days total and had no reason to stop. Until I started looking for a new job, my current/next job wont pay jack, especially compared to his opportunity. Was it 4 failed tests in 5 years? He just sounds like a mentally weak person with no will power or ability to recognize what an opportunity he has been given.  Spoken by a weed "addict" with 0 will power. 

 

Your situation isn't his. 

[Royale with Cheese]

2 minutes ago, BillsMafia13 said:

Wrong, over the last 10 years i probably havent smoked 20 days total and had no reason to stop. Until I started looking for a new job, my current/next job wont pay jack, especially compared to his opportunity. Was it 4 failed tests in 5 years? He just sounds like a mentally weak person with no will power or ability to recognize what an opportunity he has been given.  Spoken by a weed "addict" with 0 will power. 

 

I'm with you.  Weed is not an addiction, it's a will power issue.