Browns WR Josh Gordon’s one-year suspension has been upheld on appeal

Earlier today there was a report that a decision on Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon’s suspension was coming soon, and just after noon on Wednesday that decision was handed down. Gordon was facing a year long suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy

After weeks of deliberation, Gordon’s one-year suspension has been upheld on appeal.

Josh Gordon released a statement through the NFL Players’ Association.

"“I’d like to apologize to my teammates, coaches, the Cleveland Browns organization and our fans. I am very disappointed that the NFL and its hearing office didn’t exercise better discretion and judgment in my case. I would like to sincerely thank the people who have been incredibly supportive of me during this challenging time, including my family, my agent, my union, my legal team, and the Cleveland Browns staff.”"

This decision will likely come with a lot of backlash in the wake of other punishments handed down by the NFL. Details from Gordon’s violation suggest that he barely failed his test and basically by chance.

The NFL then handed down a two-game ban for Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice in the wake of him allegedly hitting his fiancee at an Atlantic City casino. It certainly seems like the NFL needs to re-evaluate where their priorities are.

There also is reportedly no avenue for reinstatement.

He won’t be eligible for reinstatement until the end of the preseason in 2015 because it is a one-year ban, not a suspension for 16 games. That will also keep Gordon out of next year’s training camp. He had been participating and playing in the preseason so far this year while waiting on a decision.

The one-year ban also makes the delay in the decision all the more absurd. By waiting they delayed the start of the one-year ban, and had been awaiting a decision for weeks. Had they decided quickly four months ago when news of the violation broke, he would’ve been eligible to return sooner, ahead of training camp and other off season activities next year.

Though Garafolo reports that his eligibility for reinstatement will be evaluated following the season.

In the meantime, Gordon’s camp is weighing their options.