Josh Gordon stepping away from football "for a bit"

[PaulinMyrBch]

This is sad. I can't imagine how much he went through to qualify for reinstatement with the league to get back on the field, but I'm sure, especially for Gordon, it required a substantial amount of personal discipline and commitment. So he does that, gets reinstated, and eventually lands on a team where the culture inside the building is probably the best environment in all of sports to maintain the discipline needed to continue his career. And with all of that he couldn't do it.

Like others have said, this isn't about football anymore. I'm hoping he gets the help he needs and is able to get himself to a place where he is healthy and can enjoy the rest of his life. I do fear we'll be reading a tragic story about him in the next 5-10 years, I just hope it never comes.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

Either Rap has a terrible Pats source or he has it out for Gordon, remember a month or so ago when he reported Gordon would be benched to start a night game and then that never happened?

The tweet makes no sense at all from a discipline or knowledge standpoint. He may have a suspension coming, and we're going to start it one play early?? After he played the entire game???

So freaking lazy, stupid, whatever. The real story just isn't as sexy. He had run several go routes in a row and they wanted someone in there with fresh legs for the running/jumping parts of the route.

 

[brandonchristensen]

Is he using Fentanyl or something? What's he doing that has him struggling so hard? Coke?

 

[scottyno]

The tweet makes no sense at all from a discipline or knowledge standpoint. He may have a suspension coming, and we're going to start it one play early?? After he played the entire game???

So freaking lazy, stupid, whatever. The real story just isn't as sexy. He had run several go routes in a row and they wanted someone in there with fresh legs for the running/jumping parts of the route.

According to twitter he also practiced in full and was available to the media yesterday, which would also make no sense if they knew his season was about to be over.

 

[Harry Hooper]

Either Rap has a terrible Pats source or he has it out for Gordon, remember a month or so ago when he reported Gordon would be benched to start a night game and then that never happened?

Was this a setup and have the Pats now conclusively figured out who inside the organization might be leaking?

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Did Rappaport delete that tweet?

 

[Dahabenzapple2]

Is he using Fentanyl or something? What's he doing that has him struggling so hard? Coke?

If he took one of anything, he will struggle hard. He will then most likely use everything to excess and become out of control both internally and externally. Yes 12 step programs have a low success rate but a 100% success rate if one follows the program.

 

[kneemoe]

You know the guy that created 12 step program believed it was really the LSD he took that was integral to the entire process, yeah?

[edit: believed]

 

[DJnVa]

Did Rappaport delete that tweet?

He deleted it.

 

[Al Zarilla]

Impossibly bad analysis. They played him the entire game but sat him out the last play b/c they knew this was coming. THAT WILL SHOW THEM.

I feel badly for Gordon. He needs a 12 step program and the right medication, that is not addictive, asap. It's a shame and I feel sorry for him and hope he can get it together. Addiction is very hard.

I’d be surprised if he wasn’t strongly advised to get into, or put himself into a 12 step program when he was with Cleveland. His problems there spanned, what, 5 years or so? You have to at least try such a program. First news to wake up to and what a bummer for Josh and the team.

 

[JimBoSox9]

He can't ONLY smoke weed - see above - he uses all kinds of substances. He is a drug addict and the only way he will stay clean is to stop using all drugs.

All of which help reduce pain and/or anxiety, and none of which are performance-enhancing on the field or in the weight room. I think mike's point stands w/r/t Gordon's ability to get paid as a football player.

 

[taoofoj]

Really disappointed to hear this news. Enjoyed rooting for Josh. Get well and stay well buddy.

From a team perspective, the hits just keep coming and the media is wearing out the death knell. Hopefully this galvanizes the team and they go on an epic FU run...

 

[Dahabenzapple2]

All of which help reduce pain and/or anxiety, and none of which are performance-enhancing on the field or in the weight room. I think mike's point stands w/r/t Gordon's ability to get paid as a football player.

Agree with this. I think the idea to test for anything other than cocaine, opiates or other “hard” drugs is an insane policy.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Either Rap has a terrible Pats source or he has it out for Gordon, remember a month or so ago when he reported Gordon would be benched to start a night game and then that never happened?

There's a reason why he's referred by many on BBtL (and other places) as Crapsheet.

There was a time when he banned from being quoted here as well, a la certain "football doctor" with dubious distinctions.

 

[AB in DC]

on balance, I think this was still a good move for BB -- a gamble that worked out. Believe his final Pats #s were 11 games, 40 catches, 720 yards, and 3 TDs.

It's 11 games of solid NFL WR production (annualized rate of almost 60/1050/4). I suppose that's more than we'd get from a lot of 5th-round picks (for up to 64 games), but not by much.

 

[Ed Hillel]

It's 11 games of solid NFL WR production (annualized rate of almost 60/1050/4). I suppose that's more than we'd get from a lot of 5th-round picks (for up to 64 games), but not by much.

Like 90% of 5th round picks don’t make it on offense or defense at all. Given the makeup of this team, it was a no-brainer risk. This was probably still in the upper half or quarter of expectations for the trade, it’s a shame he couldn’t make it.

 

[DJnVa]

It's 11 games of solid NFL WR production (annualized rate of almost 60/1050/4). I suppose that's more than we'd get from a lot of 5th-round picks (for up to 64 games), but not by much.

Late 5th for early 7th.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

He played in 11 games, so I guess the Pats won't get back the 7th rounder they'd have had coming from the Browns if he didn't suit up for 10 games.

[Yes, I feel bad for him too... but somebody had to point it out.]

 

[axx]

He played in 11 games, so I guess the Pats won't get back the 7th rounder they'd have had coming from the Browns if he didn't suit up for 10 games.

The conditional part was taken out. They were getting the 7th rounder regardless.

 

[bsj]

Funny just this morning I was watching this video, doing some research on media coverage of the Challenger explosion, and about 5 minutes in CNN was talking about the 85 Patriots and their cocaine problems.

 

[fairlee76]

Is he using Fentanyl or something? What's he doing that has him struggling so hard? Coke?

Based on his past, who knows. Could be anything from weed all the way up to coke: https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/11/28/josh-gordon-interview-cleveland-browns-nfl

This news sucks. Was really rooting for him to find his way, more for his life post-football than any production he brought to the Patriots. This kid has dealt with a ton of dysfunction (some of which he was born into and some of which he created) and is living what seems to be an absolutely tortured life. Best of luck to him going forward.

 

[InstaFace]

Did Rappaport delete that tweet?

What did it say?

 

[Ralphwiggum]

What did it say?

Paraphrasing but it said that the Pats knew this was coming, which is why he wasn't in at the end of the Pittsburgh game. Then about a million people on Twitter pointed out that he played the vast majority of the snaps on Sunday so this would not seem to make sense. He was also practicing this week.

 

[lexrageorge]

Is he using Fentanyl or something? What's he doing that has him struggling so hard? Coke?

I realize your question is more curiosity than anything else. But I seriously doubt it's possible for anyone that posts here to determine with certainty the nature of Gordon's addiction beyond what is known publicly. I personally find it irritating (again not irritated with you) when folks post "So and so must be doing drug xyz to make him do that". It's pure speculation, as only a few members here are truly professionally qualified to make such a statement, and those that are qualified would likely refuse to speculate without knowing more. I don't feel that such speculation really advances the discussion.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

What did it say?

I can't find it, but it essentially made these points in this order.

Josh Gordon is facing an indefinite suspension for failing the guidelines of his reinstatement.
The Patriots were aware prior to last weeks game and he was subbed out of the final play of the Steelers game.
Then he went on to list his 2018 stats for the Pats, catches/yards/TD's/games.

So we all had issue with the statement about the last play. As if that had anything to do with a failed test or pending suspension.

 

[mauidano]

Gordon has been the beneficiary of an incredible professional support system since signing his first contract. He has been well compensated for the most part. The demons are are so real when you are willing to turn your back on that and those who love you and are working to help you overcome your disabilities. Josh is going to find himself with some dark days and nights ahead without the NFL family support. His NFL days are done. I sincerely hope he beats the long odds; we all do.

 

[steveluck7]

FWIW re: Rappaport. He's doubling down. 98.5 just played an audio clip from him on a national radio show saying Gordon has known this was coming for weeks, if not months

edit: Here's a link that has the transcript of Rap's comments as well as audio

 

[DJnVa]

If he's referring to a potential positive test, then he may have known it was coming in the sense that he knew he was using.

 

[DJnVa]

It's official--NFL just announced indefinite suspension for violation of policy.

 

[Zedia]

FWIW re: Rappaport. He's doubling down. 98.5 just played an audio clip from him on a national radio show saying Gordon has known this was coming for weeks, if not months

edit: Here's a link that has the transcript of Rap's comments as well as audio

It would be a double-shame if he backslid before the trade and had been doing better. I don’t know what the solution is to debilitating addiction, but I don’t know if removing him from his routine/support system is the answer.

But of course, that’s all speculation. I just hope he gets ok.

 

[BigJimEd]

FWIW re: Rappaport. He's doubling down. 98.5 just played an audio clip from him on a national radio show saying Gordon has known this was coming for weeks, if not months

edit: Here's a link that has the transcript of Rap's comments as well as audio

I think that is quite possible.
The idiotic part of his now deleted tweet was that Gordon sat for the last play because of this.

 

[brandonchristensen]

I realize your question is more curiosity than anything else. But I seriously doubt it's possible for anyone that posts here to determine with certainty the nature of Gordon's addiction beyond what is known publicly. I personally find it irritating (again not irritated with you) when folks post "So and so must be doing drug xyz to make him do that". It's pure speculation, as only a few members here are truly professionally qualified to make such a statement, and those that are qualified would likely refuse to speculate without knowing more. I don't feel that such speculation really advances the discussion.

My sister in law OD'd on fentanyl so I'm genuinely curious. I know a lot about what it can do (she's 29, lives in a full-care place and has a 5 year old who is slowly losing the concept of what a mom is).

 

[patinorange]

I hope he is ok. And I hope he can come back some day.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

My sister in law OD'd on fentanyl so I'm genuinely curious. I know a lot about what it can do (she's 29, lives in a full-care place and has a 5 year old who is slowly losing the concept of what a mom is).

You need to do some reading on addictions. Your post implies that it had to be a serious drug to have him relapse. Go look at info on alcohol for instance. It's legal and accepted everywhere but tons of people have huge issues with it and die from it. Saying it has to be hard drug or something for him to relapse is ignorance. Addiction issues impact so many people and it's not the hardcore stuff most of the time.

 

[brandonchristensen]

You need to do some reading on addictions. Your post implies that it had to be a serious drug to have him relapse. Go look at info on alcohol for instance. It's legal and accepted everywhere but tons of people have huge issues with it and die from it. Saying it has to be hard drug or something for him to relapse is ignorance. Addiction issues impact so many people and it's not the hardcore stuff most of the time.

I'm just curious is all. Obviously I know about alcoholism, but I've never heard him tied to that. It was always just 'drugs', and it's hard to get a handle on what that means.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I'm just curious is all. Obviously I know about alcoholism, but I've never heard him tied to that. It was always just 'drugs', and it's hard to get a handle on what that means.

Your post was:

"Is he using Fentanyl or something? What's he doing that has him struggling so hard? Coke?"

Pretty much anything from booze to narcotics can do that. Asking "What's he doing that has him struggling so hard? Coke?" means you have no idea what it really is like for someone who's an addict. We have a number of people in my family who are in horrid shape and it's not "coke" it's called alcohol.

 

[brandonchristensen]

Your post was:

"Is he using Fentanyl or something? What's he doing that has him struggling so hard? Coke?"

Pretty much anything from booze to narcotics can do that. Asking "What's he doing that has him struggling so hard? Coke?" means you have no idea what it really is like for someone who's an addict. We have a number of people in my family who are in horrid shape and it's not "coke" it's called alcohol.

Like I said, no one has ever said he was an alcoholic that I've seen. What a boring argument.

 

[GeorgeCostanza]

This flat out sucks. I was rooting for him to get back on the field before he was a Patriot. Then rooted for him on the field as a Patriot. Now I’m just rooting for the kid, period. Everyone’s path to sobriety is a little different. I sincerely hope he finds his and the beauty that will eventually follow.

 

[Dahabenzapple2]

Like I said, no one has ever said he was an alcoholic that I've seen. What a boring argument.

If Josh had one drink or one joint or one pill or one of anything and he's actually an addict (and drug addicts who are clean don't drink alcohol as for us it's just another drug), he will use that chemical or other chemicals compulsively until his life is a wreck - internally and/or externally.

As a friend of mine likes to say ONE joint or ONE seemingly innocent beer is just like heroin or crack.

Once an addict has ONE of anything, it's curtains

 

[Time to Mo Vaughn]

Like I said, no one has ever said he was an alcoholic that I've seen. What a boring argument.

You missed post 30 then.

 

[Soxy]

Like I said, no one has ever said he was an alcoholic that I've seen. What a boring argument.

He referred to himself as an alcoholic in a 2017 interview with GQ.

Back when you were playing in the NFL, would you describe that person as a “functioning alcoholic”?

Highly functioning. For sure. I definitely pushed the limit. I don't know how I did it. It could be before games, it could be before practice, after practice. You see other guys kinda doing it, but I would take it to another level a lot of times. Feeling as though I was being enabled, I thought it was an okay thing to do: Well, this is the norm. And it wasn't. It definitely wasn't.

Can you think of an example?

I used to make a ritual of it before every game. If I had already been drug tested that week, or the day before the game, I knew I had a couple days to buy to clean my system. Even before I was getting tested for alcohol, prior to my DWI in 2014, I would take the biggest bong rip I could. And try to conceal all the smell off all my clothes. I'd be dressed up to go to the game. A bunch of guys smoke weed before the game. But we're not talking about them.

I would have these little pre-made shots. I used to love Grand Marnier. I could drink it down smooth. I could usually drink a lot of it. But if it wasn't that, it might be a whiskey or something. And I would drink probably like half a glass, or a couple shots to try and warm my system up, basically. To get the motor running. That's what I would do for games.

 

[brandonchristensen]

He referred to himself as an alcoholic in a 2017 interview with GQ.

I did miss this thank you.

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

Apologies, but could someone summarize the Rap tweet he deleted? Not showing up in any fashion or platform.

 

[fairlee76]

You missed post 30 then.

Post 30 and the numerous articles where Gordon has admitted to being an addict. Google is pretty easy to use these days (not directing that at you, obviously).

 

[Marciano490]

Apologies, but could someone summarize the Rap tweet he deleted? Not showing up in any fashion or platform.

Believe he said Gordon wasn’t in on the last Pats play(s?) because the team new something was up.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

will we ever know what the exact violation was?

 

[shawnrbu]

will we ever know what the exact violation was?

We will know by Sunday morning. 345 Park Avenue can't stop a leak.

 

[8slim]

I really came to like Gordon a lot. People are focusing on his drug issues since that triggered the suspension, but it’s also his battle with mental health issues that had me rooting hard for him. I still am. I hope he figures out how to manage all his issues. He was only here for a couple months but he’ll always be a Patriot to me.

 

[Blue Monkey]

If Josh had one drink or one joint or one pill or one of anything and he's actually an addict (and drug addicts who are clean don't drink alcohol as for us it's just another drug), he will use that chemical or other chemicals compulsively until his life is a wreck - internally and/or externally.

As a friend of mine likes to say ONE joint or ONE seemingly innocent beer is just like heroin or crack.

Once an addict has ONE of anything, it's curtains

There’s a saying here that applies.

“One is too many, a thousand is never enough”

 

[Papelbon's Poutine]

As noted by others, this sucks far beyond the on field impact. Kid has demons, I hope he reconciled them before worrying about football.