National Football League
Browns' Gordon sorry for suspension
National Football League

Browns' Gordon sorry for suspension

Published Jul. 22, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

Josh Gordon's not looking back. There's no point.

Unable to fix his mistakes but vowing not to repeat them, the Browns' talented wide receiver apologized Monday for being suspended for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy.

Gordon, who emerged as a much-needed playmaker for Cleveland as a rookie last season, was suspended without pay in June by the league for the first two games of this season. Gordon will also forfeit two other game checks as part of his punishment.

In his first public comments since the suspension, Gordon, who was suspended in college at least twice for marijuana use, apologized for his latest misstep and promised to make amends with his teammates, Browns fans and Cleveland's front office.

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''This hurt a lot of people,'' Gordon said.

Gordon would not go into any details about the reasons he was suspended, and referred to a statement he made last month shortly after the penalty was announced. Gordon stood by his previous comments that he used cough medicine containing codeine - a banned substance - while recovering from strep throat in February and said what he took was not for ''recreational use.''

''The fact that it happened, it was beyond me,'' Gordon said. ''It's one of those things you just really can't control.''

Gordon also denied he has a substance-abuse problem. He has not yet spoken with members of Cleveland's new front office about his issues. He was selected in last year's supplemental draft by the team's previous regime.

''I have not sat down with them, but I was told by other people that definitely they're supporting me, in my corner,'' he said. ''That's good to know. I'm definitely still trying to regain their trust and our front office's trust, our team's trust, just to prove to them that they can count on me.''

Browns coach Rob Chudzinski has met with Gordon, who caught 50 passes and led the Browns with 805 yards receiving and five touchdowns.

''Obviously I'm disappointed in the situation,'' Chudzinski said. ''It's important that Josh understands what my expectations are. I've talked to him about that. He understands accountability and I expect him to work and do everything he can to be the very best player he can be in the meantime and we'll go from there.''

Gordon, who was kicked off Baylor's team for failed drug tests, assured Chudzinski he has learned from the experience.

''Accountability is a big issue,'' he said. ''We're definitely planning for the future. We're looking forward to the things we can do beyond this point. I can't really sit back and just think about the past and things that's happened. We're really looking forward to what we can do from here on out.''

Gordon was reminded he said something similar a year ago, but stumbled. He was asked if he had to prove himself all over.

''I really don't feel that way,'' he said. ''I'm still working towards it but that's something that's in the past. It's still going to loom over me for a long time. I still have a long way to go, a lot to prove to the fans here, to the people here. This is another obstacle in my way.''

This is the second straight year the Browns will be missing a key player to open the season because of a suspension. Last year, star cornerback Joe Haden missed the first four games for a drug violation and the Browns went 0-4 without him.

The Browns won't have Gordon for their Sept. 8 opener against Miami or the following week against the defending Super Bowl-champion Baltimore Ravens.

''Obviously I'm disappointed,'' quarterback Brandon Weeden said, ''but the nice thing about this team is we have guys that can step in and make plays. I have a lot of confidence in all the receivers that are going to be there Week One. Good teams find a way, when they have stuff goes on, guys step in and make plays.

''I'm confident in the guys we have to get that done and when Josh comes back in Week Three, we'll welcome him back and he'll continue to make us a better football team.''

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