DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Open Letter from josh

I'm not happy about Gordon being suspended again at all.

I don't want excuses from him.

BUT I do understand the stupid mistakes of youth and I tend to believe most of what he stated here.

I absolutely do not want the Browns to cut him or part ways, that would be foolish. If suspended his roster spot does not count and he is still under contract. HE IS ONLY 23!

Would you like to see him straighten out and be the best WR in football on a team like the Patriots? Give me a break, talk about meltdowns , this would cause the heads of most of those who want him to be cut now to explode!

Let it all play out and from the human side hope the kid gets it together. If someday he becomes what we know he can be then great, but until then let it unfold the way it unfolds.

Josh, I can not excuse the fact that you missed a meeting and did not appear to be giving your 110% on the field when you returned. That is something that doesn't sit right with me. But, I will forgive you for your actions off the field. You are the one that stands to lose millions. Not us. I will also agree with you that we should not judge you. I can't speak for everyone but I am sure the vast majority of the people judging you have made a few mistakes in there life as well and are nothing but hypocrites. I am fairly certain that they drove a few times after having a few drinks like you did, but maybe didn't get caught. I sure some of them has smoked something but didn't get caught like you did. I can not say your any different than most of us except for that you have not been lucky to get away with it like many of us have. Josh what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. I hope you learn and grow from it.

Powerful, but it's still just characters typed into a computer. Until, or if, he can get his act together, that is going to be the real true power and story to tell.

Again, powerful letter... but it does not for me personally, sway my negative opinion I have on him. I still would not blink an eye if we were to axe him tomorrow.

JMO

Stephen A. is taking Gordon to the woodshed on Golden Boyz today. First take should be interesting tomorrow.

Nice words, and perhaps even true. However, he has to walk-the-talk, here or wherever he ends up...

He has failed at least 5 drug tests in college and the pros but is not addicted to anything? And does not want or need help?

He has failed at least 5 drug tests in college and the pros but is not addicted to anything? And does not want or need help?

Time to put ups or shut up.

How long is he going to expect people to buy his garbage? Joe Jurevicus said on Drennan that teams are not going to make it when they have huge distractions like Gordon (and Manziel). This team is not strong or mature enough to withstand it.

Cut ties and move forward with skill AND character.

I thought that was him, but I didn't think there was anyway a coach would be on that trip.

What kind of coach goes on a Vegas trip with his players?

It's a nice letter and all Josh - and please believe me when I say that I truly empathize with you, but in the end all men are judged by their actions in life, not their words or promises.

That's the bottom line, everything else is fluff.

http://www.espncleveland.com/page.php?page_id=2211

Podcast with Stephen A. Smith segment is linked here. Theatrics aside, I thought it was a very good response and worth a listen.

I guess the kind of coach that ends up fired? He totally doesn't look like an NFL coach. The way he is standing, he looks like he was a last minute invite because they didn't want to hurt his feelings.

Or, was he there to spy on Gordon?

Probably felt good sounding off to critics. Add me to the list of those he failed who remain upset with this stunt.

He must presume his readers will care. He does not indicate how he might make it up; I want to point this out: Josh, your repeated failure are your fans' failures as well. The whole team is forced to share your "failures." Why I seem to care more than you is beyond me.

Give us a PS. Tell me just how bloody much anyone is expected to overlook before being done with you makes perfect sense. I suspect many fewer kids want that autograph or selfie than might have if you achieved waft you could. Just saying.

Wish you well with all your self-inflicted failures. Know there are limits.

One about to be canned maybe?

jc...

Thought this was worth posting. It's a summary of the league's policy regarding applying for reinstatement with the league. It's written about Blackmon but the same info should apply to Gordon next year as well. http://espn.go.com/blog/jacksonville-jaguars/post/_/id/11048/here-is-the-nflreinstatement-procedure

That's one thing that bothered me, the other thing is, According to his account of things, he wasn't to have a drink during the season. His season was over so again, why is that a problem.

Not defending Josh, Just asking how that could happen.

Once again, though, he should have made absolutely certain that he understood the rules he had to obey. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

Don't you think, given his track record, that any "real" agent would be on him and make sure he fully understands all that is at risk to Josh? You can say pretty much he's a flagged offender, one that should have an eye kept on him and/or however you want to term it.

I just can't fully buy into that situation.

Then he says he's pretty much not even a social drinker, but there are a DUI and the recent instance (that just comes to mind) relating to him. I mean, this is all that I can remember and all that I can recall reading/hearing about/made known to the public. Who knows how many times he's drunk, "not even being a social drinker", that we don't know about or haven't read about? I'm sure there is a lot.

JMO

I would have also, thus my question, how could that happen.

This dude is still making excuses. Yeah, it's a real letter.

Guys, after I read the first few paragraphs, I really thought this letter was a joke and the OP was making it up. I kept waiting for the punch line.

And did mgh really mention that there are some awfully judgmental souls on this board?

Dude quotes me and says he has me on ignore. Yeah right.

Again, How could it happen that his agent didn't warn him. But why did he even need warned. You'd think that a guy that's been through what he's been through (all the suspensions) would make sure he was in the clear to have a drink

As for the social drinker part, I would suppose I'm a social drinker. And yet, I've gotten drunk. So, if I get drunk, get a DUI then have a drink 6 months later, am I an alcoholic?

I don't think that qualifies.

anyway, all his words and sentiments, as welcome as they are, just aren't cutting it for me. he's gonna have to show me.. he may not even get the chance to show me as a Brown.

It happened because he didn't bother to pay attention, or to follow up as far as what he was allowed to do.

Regarding Josh.

A part of me wants to smack him in the head because I think he is so full of it. Another part of me feels sorry for him and I want him to get help.

What's crazy is that his letter's intent had the opposite affect on me than what he and his agent intended.

The part about the hood made me want to slap him. I was raised in the ghetto. I only knew this......I wanted out and nothing was going to stop me. My wife, who makes huge money, had it even worse. And yeah, she is Mexican...the group of people who face more prejudice than any other in this country.

The part that made me feel sad for him was when he was saying that he didn't have a problem and was belittling his accusers. It proved to me that he--and even those who are advising him---really don't get it. That's really sad. I think that points to him never really figuring it out and his life will continue its downward spiral.

I am hoping that he quits using the excuses he is making and comes to terms w/the fact that he does indeed have a problem. It's a very hard thing to do. And it never, ever goes away.

Dealing with substance abuse issues, anger management, lack of self esteem, etc.......hey, it's tough. The first thing is you have to admit it. You then have to try and fix it. You might fail a few times. It takes a lot of guts to overcome one of those issues. More fail than succeed. I feel sorry for Josh in that regard.

I look at it like this..............he is deflecting the blame of his own actions onto guys like Carter, Barkley, and Steven A.

Did those guys speak w/out knowing you personally? I believe you are right about that.

Do those guys understand substance abuse and know many people who faced similar issues as you have? Sorry Josh, but I believe there is little doubt that they do.

Are there others--like me--who get what you are going through? Damn straight, man!

I tried long ago on the boards to come down hard on you and get you some help. I cared more about you--the person--than you, the football player. While others were making BS excuses for your issues, I maintained that you needed to own up to your issues, Josh. It's time to be accountable. It's time to look in the mirror and quit blaming others and your circumstances. In the end, the only one who matters is the man in the mirror.

Look in the mirror closely, Josh. What do you see?

Well stated, but at the end of the day we are all different people and react differently to events in our lives. None of us walked a day in Josh's shoes ever so to say that we grew up in the same type of environment and it means nothing is unfair. We as a society should not be so quick to judge people. We all make mistakes, we are no better than he is. But we want to make comments like we are. Like we never drove after having a few beers at a game, or never took a hit off of something at a college party or never broke any rule. I call BS. We are just pissed because he is on OUR team that we all LOVE and is not going to be out on the field helping us win a dam game. If the situation was different and he was a coworker or a member of our church we would be giving him support in a time of need not throwing him under the bus. What does that say about us? Josh get it together as I was 23 once, and get your life back on track.

Got a question for you jack: Who the hell said they were better than Josh?

everybody that is acting like they never made a mistake in life. He screwed up its water under the bridge. Now lets support the guy and help him get past that if we can. Not drag him thru the mud, call him a liar and say that his positive test came due to smoking dope. How do we know that it was not second hand smoke? The guy is tested up to 10 times a month from when he came in the league. He has made poor choices and now only time will tell if he means what he says.

Gordon has screwed up continuously since college. He gets no benefit of the doubt any more.

Yeah, this sums of why I have the negative vibe going on with him. Sums it up very well.

He's lied since the day he got here. Repeatedly. Over and over.

He's also failed drug tests since the day he got here. Repeatedly. Over and over.

Every single failed test since he's had in the NFL - five if you're counting- has been, according to Josh, some sort of bad luck mix up or the result of draconian rules.

Every single time.

And every single time he claims that, he promises he's on the narrow and apologizes.

Rinse and repeat.

Hey jack...........maybe you are Josh. Maybe you are one of his friends or family members.

I don't know if anyone has come down as hard on you/Josh since the beginning as I have.

I will tell you this..........long after you/he is gone, I will still care about your/his welfare. Even if you/he can't help the Browns any longer, I will always be praying for you/he to get yourself/himself together.

That's the way I roll.

I have some experience w/these types of issues. Feel free to PM me if you really want help. I actually care more about you/Josh--the person, than I do about you/Josh--the player.

And that ain't BS.

everyone is correct he has lied. I just have one question have you ever told a lie? And what is the difference between one lie and 10 lies or 100 lies? everyone is entitled to their opinion, fair enough. My opinion is just different from most and think the guy needs as much support as he can get to get on the right track. Josh u screwed up, u was a man admitted u screwed up, now be a man and let your actions speak louder than your words.

I wish i had the talent that Josh has. I was born with two left feet, and the last person picked on any gym team lol. Great post that is the kind of support we should extend to him. I just know I am human and make mistakes everyday.

Jack, if this was his first mistake, I'd be right there with you. But man, he keeps making the same dumb decisions over and over and over again.

Like I said, I hope the kid turns it around. he's a heck of a talent so I hope he gets a chance to enjoy a long and successful career in the NFL.

He can't talk about it anymore, he needs to demonstrate that he's got it together.

Again, if he does that, I'll enjoy watching him..

I sure have.

What does that have to do with Josh Gordon being untrustworthy due to the fact that he's a habitual liar?



Well, the first time you can chalk it up as a mistake, the tenth time you stop giving them the benefit of the doubt, and the 100th time, you sort of tune them out.



I'd respect him if he admitted his mistakes like a man.

That's not what he's doing here.

He's not worthy of my "support"

And when I read post and comments of the web pages that have this article posted, the vibe I get is the words are kind falling on deaf ears.

It concedes with the other comment you made about after so much, you get tuned out. Hate to say it, but Josh did it all to himself... Noone going to really feel sorry for himself.

j/c

Count me in the group that says "If this was his first or even second screw up ... then I'd support him and say live and learn"

However, I'm counting him as a lost cause. Trick me once ...

Pretty much.... Letter means nothing to me

After skimming some of the responses, didn't see this posted. What was the actual rule for his alcohol use. He said something to the extent of, "I was not allowed to drink alcohol during the season"

Anyone know the actual guidelines he was supposed to follow? Was this a permanent alcohol ban while in the league, or did he have to wait a certain length of time?