The Cleveland Browns and Josh Gordon had long been awaiting a decision on whether Gordon’s one-year suspension would be upheld. Today, the news finally came down that despite the appeal, Gordon will be suspended for one year. FOX Sports’ Mike Garafolo was the first to report:
BREAKING: Sources tell @FOXSports1 Browns WR Josh Gordon's one-year suspension has been upheld on appeal.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 27, 2014
The suspension comes down following Gordon’s third failed drug test for marijuana. Gordon was suspended for the first two games of last season following his second failed test.
Many were hopeful that Gordon’s suspension would be reduced. There is a margin of error on the tests. Of Gordon’s two samples submitted, one was slightly over the limit while the other was actually under the limit, leading many to believe there could be a false positive.
The NFL has also come under fire by some because of the harshness of the penalty on Gordon for recreational drugs, while Ray Rice was suspended only two games because of a domestic violence issue.
Nonetheless, the Browns will have to move on without their top receiving threat, and one of the best in the NFL. Gordon led the league in receiving yards by a healthy margin, despite missing the first two games of the season.
In his place, the Browns will have to rely on the likes of Miles Austin, Andrew Hawkins, and Travis Benjamin and hope for the best.
