CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Browns waited three years for wide receiver Josh Gordon to make his return to the National Football League after he finished serving multiple suspensions for failed drug and alcohol tests.
And following a solid debut in last week’s 19-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center, Gordon is set to make his return in front of the home fans, as the Browns will host the Green Bay Packers at FirstEnergy Stadium today.
“Definitely a different feeling for sure as a home game compared to an away game,” Gordon said earlier in the week. “More emotional? For sure, I believe. I hope the fans are into it. I will be into it and excited regardless of the occasion. It is just that extra amp because it is a home game and I haven’t played here in a long time, so I am super excited.
“I think the fans come with it every week. I believe that feeling will be reciprocated, whether I am there or not, but hopefully, it is just a little bit more amplified. I will have a good time. I hope they have a good time, but I’m pretty sure we can put on a good show for them.”
Despite the three-year hiatus because of the suspensions and having a month of meetings, as well as two weeks of practice to acclimate himself with a new set of teammates, Gordon proved himself to be a solid playmaker.
Against the Chargers, Gordon turned his four receptions into 85 yards, both of which led the team, and his 39-yard reception late in the fourth quarter was the longest of the day for the Browns.
“A few players reached out,” Gordon said. “I’m just glad to have their support. I knew I had it before. It is just good to see the solidarity throughout the NFL, guys just showing love like that. That is what we need in this league.”
After playing in his first game since the end of the 2014 season, Gordon relied on “a good regimen of recovery” that was developed during his month in the building ahead of his 2017 debut to get himself ready for the Packers.
And Gordon has just one goal in mind when he takes the field at FirstEnergy Stadium for the first time since December 14, 2014.
“My only expectation really is to compete,” Gordon said. “As long as I can go out, compete and give my 100 percent, that is really the only aspect I know that I can contribute to is doing my part of it and just hoping and putting trust in the rest of the team that everybody else does their part, too, and we come out with a win. I just want to go 100 percent and do my all. That is more important.”
