Troubled Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon reportedly failed a test for substance abuse involving alcohol recently. Gordon is already in Stage Three of the NFL's substance abuse program, which means if the rumors are true, he would be facing a season-long suspension. The young receiver missed the first 10 games of the season this past year for substance-related infractions.
If Gordon did fail yet another test, Jeff Schrudel of The Morning Journal believes the Browns should release him.
"The Browns have to cut Josh Gordon," Schrudel wrote. "No more chances.
"If General Manager Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine really want to change the atmosphere in Berea, they have to sacrifice Gordon to let the rest of the players know they are running a professional football team and not some off-campus frat house."
This is nothing new for Gordon. The 23-year-old has a history of off-field problems dating back to college. Gordon was suspended twice while at Baylor for marijuana-related incidents. He then transferred to Utah where he sat out the entirety of the 2011 season before Cleveland took him in the second-round of the supplemental draft.
Gordon was suspended for the first two games of the 2013 season due to violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He still managed to lead the league in receiving though, totaling over 1,600 yards.
Last summer, Gordon was arrested for driving while impaired. After returning for five games, the Browns suspended him for their series finale for violating team rules.
"If they can't grow up, and they can't be responsible to their teammate and the coaches and our great fans, then they won't be with the Cleveland Browns," team owner Jimmy Haslam said of Cleveland's talented yet troubled younger players.
The Browns have yet to be informed by the league of anything official. If true, it would be a shame to see such immense talent going to waste.
