The record-breaking wide receiver who traded elite production for personal struggle
In short: In 2013, Josh Gordon achieved a feat never before seen in NFL history: back-to-back games of over 200 receiving yards. Yet, his career became a high-stakes study in the volatility of professional sports, marked by league-leading production interrupted by repeated substance abuse suspensions.
Gordon's rise was meteoric. After being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 2012 Supplemental draft, he exploded onto the scene in 2013. During a four-game stretch, he amassed 774 receiving yards—an NFL record at the time for any player in that span of games. This feat surpassed Calvin Johnson's mark of 746 yards. In that same season, Gordon led the league with 1,646 receiving yards and earned First Team All-Pro honors. He also set a career-high for receiving touchdowns during that year. His performance included a 95-yard reception against the Bengals. This play marked his longest catch of all time.
However, his trajectory was frequently derailed by issues outside the lines. His collegiate career at Baylor was hampered by a felony conviction at age 17, which restricted him to the state of Texas. This pattern continued in the pros: he faced multiple suspensions for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Between 2014 and 2018, Gordon missed significant time, including the entirety of the 2015 season, leading to a career defined by 'conditional reinstatements' and voluntary withdrawals from active rosters. His college journey began at Lamar High School in Houston. He was originally ranked as a three-star prospect by Rivals.com. A drug test failure led to an indefinite suspension from Baylor in 2011.
Despite these hurdles, Gordon remained a potent threat when on the field. After being traded to the New England Patriots in 2018, he caught Tom Brady's 500th NFL touchdown pass. Even while facing an indefinite ban for drug policy violations late in that season, his contributions were significant enough that he received a Super Bowl LIII ring, despite not playing in the championship game. He played defensive duties during a late Hail Mary attempt against the Bears. His first season with New England saw him record four touchdowns. He was traded for a fifth-round pick and a seventh-round selection.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Josh Gordon
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