Gordon admits drinking, drug use before ‘every game’

Associated Press

BEREA

Josh Gordon has never played an NFL game sober. That has to change if he plans to play in another one.

One day before the Browns wide receiver gets another shot at rebooting his star-crossed career, Gordon revealed in a candid magazine interview that he used drugs or alcohol before every game of his career — pro or college.

Gordon, who was reinstated on a conditional basis by Commissioner Roger Goodell last week after being suspended for nearly three years, told GQ he drank or smoked marijuana before “every game. Probably every game of my career.”

The former Pro Bowler did the interview before meeting with Goodell in New York. Gordon said he began taking drugs in seventh grade, and he outlined a pregame routine as a pro where he would do shots of alcohol to “get the motor running.

“We would stay at the team hotel, and then players are allowed to go back home, get what they need and then go to the game,” Gordon said. “So I’d leave the hotel early morning, go home, eat breakfast, do my little ritual, whatever it may be, some weed, some alcohol and then go to the game. And then, I’d definitely be partying after every game, win or lose. Every game.”

Gordon’s shocking admission came as the Browns prepared to welcome him back to their facility today. On Monday, executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown said the team has had limited contact with Gordon since his reinstatement.

“We have had some preliminary conversations with him,” Brown said. “We are looking forward to having him back.”

Coach Hue Jackson said Gordon’s disclosure won’t change the team’s decision to accept him back.

“I think he was letting things out if that is what was said,” said Jackson, who coached Gordon before the 26-year-old checked himself into rehab in 2016. “I think he was cleansing himself of his past, and I get that a little bit, but again, I think he said what he felt he needed to say.”

Jackson said he planned to sit down with Gordon and discuss his disclosures.