- by Liz Fox
Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Josh Gordon of the Cleveland Browns yesterday that he has been reinstated to the NFL on a conditional basis.
Gordon may join the team at training camp and participate in meetings, conditioning work and similar activities. Once arrangements have been confirmed regarding Gordon’s clinical resources in Cleveland, he will be permitted to participate in all preseason activities, including practices and games.
Gordon will be suspended for the first four games of the regular season and will be eligible to return to the team beginning Monday, October 3. During this suspension, Gordon may participate in team meetings and other activities but may not attend or participate in practices or games.
Gordon had been suspended indefinitely since February 2015 without pay for multiple violations of the NFL-NFLPA Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse.
In a letter to Gordon today, Commissioner Goodell wrote: “As we discussed at our [July 19] meeting, as Commissioner, I want nothing more than to see you turn your circumstances around and succeed. Countless others including your agent, teammates and coaches, Mr. Haslam and the leadership of the organization, the Program professionals and Jim Brown also have pledged to provide you with every resource at their disposal. But as you acknowledged, ultimately, your future is your responsibility. I have every belief that you can make the right choices, but it will be up to you to do so.”
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