Josh Gordon's complicated and curious journey from drug-riddled streets to NFL stardom to suspensions to rehab to possible redemption is headed to a fitting location: Hollywood's shadow.
Banned two seasons for multiple violations of the NFL's substance-abuse policy, Gordon will play his first regular-season game since Dec. 21, 2014, when the Browns visit the Los Angeles Chargers.
"Perseverance story, really, more than anything," Gordon said Thursday when asked what message he hopes to convey. "A guy that was able to bounce back. Overcoming. Defying the odds. The underdog story. That's all it is. I think it's something that sells hope for people — it's realistic, it's relatable. People want to know about it."
An All-Pro in 2013 when he led the NFL with 1,646 yards receiving, Gordon has missed Cleveland's past 44 games. But despite the down time and personal challenges that kept him away from football, the 26-year-old believes he is better prepared to resume his career.
"I'm having the most fun that I've ever had doing this, just playing ball for the love of it," he said. "It's the only thing that's really giving me any type of, I guess, not really pressure but kind of just a boost."
Gordon has been suspended by Commissioner Roger Goodell and the Browns five times since 2013. Recently, he revealed to Sports Illustrated being involved in gang activity and in counterfeiting, drug trafficking and car theft while growing up in Houston, claiming he made $10,000 per month selling marijuana.
Speaking to reporters Thursday, Gordon said he finds therapeutic value in opening up about his past. "Just felt like using my platform, let my voice be heard, let people have a window into my life and get a full image of what I've gone through, what I've lived and my story," he said.
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• Chicago safety Quintin Demps practiced for the first time since breaking his left arm on Sept. 24, opening a 21-day window for the Bears to decide whether to activate him from injured reserve.
