We’ve Most Likely Seen the Last of Josh Gordon in the NFL

pic.twitter.com/omiQgO8IjE

— Flash Gordon (@JOSH_GORDONXII) December 20, 2018

Statement from the New England Patriots on Josh Gordon: pic.twitter.com/tXmXrXVrJL

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 20, 2018

Josh Gordon facing potential suspension for violating terms of his conditional reinstatement under NFL drug policy, per @TomPelissero and @DanGrazianoESPN. Final punishment yet to be decided, but Gordon not expected to play again this season or maybe ever again.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 20, 2018

Josh Gordon indefinitely suspended: https://t.co/AUzX9KXDC1 pic.twitter.com/5glVhxjZiw

— NFL (@NFL) December 20, 2018

Today is one of the saddest days in the history of my Patriots fandom. Right up there with both Giants SB losses.

I was enamored by Josh Gordon long before he came to the New England Patriots. I had him on my fantasy football team during my freshman year of high school in 2012. For as much as I hate fantasy football sometimes, one positive thing I have to say about it is how much love it creates for players that aren’t on your favorite team. I will never stop loving Todd Gurley after he basically won me my league last year (humble brag).

The following season, 2013, was when Gordon broke out. He may not have been on my team anymore, but I still loved what he was doing to defenses around the NFL:

87 receptions. 18.9 yards per catch. 1,646 yards. 9 touchdowns. Back-to-back 200+ receiving yard games. Josh Gordon’s 2013 season will go down as one of the best single seasons for a WR in NFL history. He was one of, if not the most dominant receiver in the league at just 23 years old with Jason Campbell, Brandon Weeden, and Brian Hoyer throwing him the ball. Who knows what he could have turned into. When the Patriots traded for him this season I FREAKED out and bought a jersey almost immediately. I love the guy.

Every NFL fan should know about Gordon’s troubled past and his battle with addiction. If you don’t, I’m not too sure why you’re even reading this. This afternoon’s announcement that he would be stepping away from the game followed by his indefinite suspension absolutely killed me. To hear that he may never step on the field again made it 10x worse.

While I do love to watch the guy play for my team every Sunday, his mental health is what’s more important here. Mental health is something people in this world do not take seriously enough. It’s as real of a disease as just about anything you can think of.

Gordon has continued to show us through his actions and words that his mental health is not in a place where he’d like it to be. If you know anyone who battles addiction or their mental health in general, you know how hard it is to watch them struggle.

It’s going to be sad to see him go, but I’m happy Gordon is stepping away from the game to get himself right. I wish nothing but the best for him and I genuinely hope that he can someday conquer his demons.

-Nick Cherico (@CouchGuyCherico)