As the Cleveland Browns await to hear the verdict from Josh Gordon‘s appeal for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, former Browns running back Jim Brown is hopeful the team will continue to support him as he gets his life in order.
More from Cleveland Browns
- Browns release 2022 draft pick after allegations he threatened a woman
- Browns wave white flag against the Steelers months ahead of time
- NFL Power Rankings: Who is the best quarterback in each division?
- NFL Power Rankings: Which teams will have the best rushing attacks this season?
- NFL rumors: DeAndre Hopkins reunion with former quarterback off the table
The Browns have already insisted they will not release the talented receiver who led the NFL in receiving yards last year despite his off-the-field issues and Brown thinks that’s a great idea to continue to support and educate the player so he can get his life together and avoid these pitfalls later in life.
"“We have to support him and educate him,” Brown told Tom Reed of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “You can only do that through leadership in player engagement. . . .“It’s about two levels: We hope he can get his life together in the right way and as a football player we hope like hell he can play [again]. “It’s definitely No. 1 first. As a human being, he’s got to get his life together.”"
Gordon is eligible to practice with the team as he waits to hear the official verdict from the league office. He is facing a yearlong suspension, but is hoping to have that reduced after going through the appeals process.
Still, Brown is admittedly worried about Gordon when he doesn’t have the support staff of his teammates and coaches around him.
“I’ll just say people need people,” Brown said. “We’ve got player engagement here. Through player engagement we can take advantage of alumni, take advantage of the relationships we have with each other.”
Gordon can help the Browns in a big way as a premier wide receiver who could help turn Johnny Manziel into a franchise quarterback, so naturally it makes sense that Brown would want the franchise to return the favor.
Hopefully Gordon can get his life together and put this troubling offseason behind him and find success in his professional and personal life.