Josh Gordon suspended indefinitely for violating NFL’s substance abuse policy

The NFL announced on Monday that Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon, who has repeatedly violated the league’s substance abuse policy, has violated it again. Gordon has been suspended indefinitely without pay.

“Josh Gordon of the Seattle Seahawks has been suspended indefinitely without pay for violating the NFL policies on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse,” an official statement from the Seahawks read.

It’s since been confirmed that Gordon tested positive for both a substance of abuse and PEDs.

Gordon has shown himself to be a tremendously talented wide receiver, looking no further than his phenomenal 2013 season with the Cleveland Browns. However, the 28-year-old’s longstanding struggles with substance abuse — namely alcohol and marijuana — have been well-documented, causing him to miss all of 2015 and 2016 while under a league ban.

Last year, the NFL suspended him for violating the conditional terms of his reinstatement while with the New England Patriots, but they did lift his ban and give him a conditional reinstatement prior to the start of this season.

New England had waived Gordon off of injured reserve back in October, with the Seahawks claiming him off the waiver wire shortly thereafter. He’s caught 7 passes for 139 yards during his time in Seattle, including a spectacular 58-yard catch against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

One can only wish for the best and that Gordon is able to turn his life around, but this is nevertheless a sad story that may see him permanently banished from the NFL.