NFL PLAYER NEWS

Browns WR Gordon suspended one year

The Sports Xchange

August 27, 2014 at 12:58 pm.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12). Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon was suspended for one year by the NFL on Wednesday for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

Gordon acknowledged that the league upheld his suspension in a statement released by the NFL Players Association.

“I’d like to apologize to my teammates, coaches, the Cleveland Browns organization and our fans,” Gordon said in the statement. “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.”

The 23-year-old Gordon tested positive for marijuana during the offseason, a violation of conditions required as a repeat offender. Gordon hired lawyer Maurice Suh to represent him at his appeal hearing before arbitrator Harold Henderson in New York. Suh argued the positive test was the result of secondhand smoke. Gordon has been tested nearly 70 times and passed every test but this particular one, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported.

Gordon will not be eligible to return to any team activity for an entire year.

Gordon led the league in receiving yards last season with 1,646 yards despite missing two games for violating the substance-abuse program.

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