NFL suspends Josh Gordon at least 1 year

(SportsNetwork.com) - Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended by the NFL for at least one year after his latest violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.

It's the second year in a row Gordon received such a suspension, although his ban for the 2014 season was eventually reduced to 10 games.

The Browns said in a statement Tuesday they were "disappointed to once again be at this point" with the talented but often in trouble wide receiver.

Gordon, 23, has said his latest positive test came after he consumed two beers and two drinks during a private flight to Las Vegas with several teammates on Jan. 2, five days after the end of the regular season.

He said it was the first time he consumed alcohol since being charged with driving while intoxicated on July 4 of last year.

Under terms of his reinstatement this past season, Gordon agreed to abstain from drinking alcohol for the remainder of the season and to submit to drug and alcohol screens.

"Throughout his career we have tried to assist him in getting support like we would with any member of our organization," Browns general manager Ray Farmer said in a statement issued by the team. "Unfortunately our efforts have not resonated with him. It is evident that Josh needs to make some substantial strides to live up to the positive culture we are trying to build this football team upon.

"Our hope is that this suspension affords Josh the opportunity to gain some clarity in determining what he wants to accomplish moving forward and if he wants a career in the National Football League. We will have no further comment on Josh as he will not be permitted in our facility for the duration of his suspension."

In an open letter posted on Medium.com last week, Gordon addressed his many critics in the media for what he said was a rush to judge him over his latest failed test.

Gordon said he doesn't have an alcohol problem and hasn't smoked marijuana since before he was taken by the Browns in the supplemental draft in 2012, despite the public perception that he uses the drug.

His 10-game suspension to start the 2014 season included two games for the DWI charge and an eight-game ban over a positive test for marijuana that he says was due to inadvertently inhaling second-hand smoke.

Gordon's initial season-long suspension was reduced under the NFL's revamped drug policy.

He said he thought his league-imposed restriction on drinking alcohol expired at the end of the regular season, which is why he consumed the drinks on the flight to Las Vegas.

Gordon led the NFL in 2013 with 1,646 receiving yards on 87 catches despite missing the first two games because of a suspension over substance abuse.

In five games this past season, he had 24 receptions for 303 yards without a touchdown. The Browns suspended him for the final game of the season for a violation of team rules, which Gordon said was for missing a team walkthrough.