Gordon says he won’t be ‘selfish’ with new chance

Josh Gordon stood in front of the media on July 28 and, as he has at least three other times in his career with the Browns, said he has learned his lesson and this time things will be different.

Gordon on July 25 was reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell from an indefinite suspension for violating a league substance abuse policy.

He was suspended for two games in 2013 and 10 in 2014. Before that he was kicked out of Baylor for testing positive for marijuana. Each time he tried to reform, he failed both another test and keeping his word.

“I have a great support staff here, more than I’ve ever felt before,” Gordon said. “It plays a part on both sides — me wanting to give in to that support and allowing them to help me and me wanting to be helped as opposed to before when I was selfish and trying to do things on my own.

“In the past I’ve been a selfish player. I definitely admit that. I wanted to do things my way. Things turn around. People change. It takes people some learning, but eventually you get to that point. I think I have.”

Gordon is starting with a “clean slate” with the Browns organization and it’s up to him to keep it clean, said Coach Hue Jackson.

Jackson, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown and Chief Strategy Officer Paul DePodesta met with the media on July 28 before players went through their conditioning drills. Brown and Jackson were emphatic about their support for Gordon, but they both said it is up to Gordon to hold himself accountable. Browns receiver Josh Gordon told the media that he has learned his lesson and this time he will not fall back into substance abuse.

“First and foremost, we understand that the league has expectations for him and we do, too,” Jackson said. “We shared those with him, and I truly believe that he wants to make it right as well. I think what’s important — I think you guys kind of know how I go about it — his slate’s clean with me.

“I think the only way to deal with a player in these situations is to kind of hit the restart button for him and he has to go do it. We’ve laid it out and I think it’s crystal clear what needs to happen as we move forward.”

Gordon is permitted to practice and play in all preseason games, but he is suspended

for the first four regular season games. However, he is nursing a quadriceps injury and will be sidelined for about two weeks. The injury will likely keep him out of the preseason opener in Green Bay on Aug. 12.

Gordon hasn’t played since the 15th game of 2014. Assuming he returns for the fifth game this season (home against New England Oct. 9) he will have been suspended for all but five of 36 games.

Gordon led the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards in 2013 despite playing in only 14 games.

again for his offensive Instagram post of a man wearing a hood slashing the throat of a police officer earlier this month. Crowell deleted the post quickly but the damage was done.

“It was really just emotions running and my feelings about what was going on. I made a mistake in posting that picture and I wish I could take it back. That’s not who I am. I’m just trying to get everybody to see that that’s not who I am and that I made a mistake in posting the picture. I’m sorry for it.

“I’m just happy that Hue and Sashi and the owner (Jimmy Haslam) have given me an opportunity to show

people that’s not who I am. They believe in me and understand who I am. I really appreciate it.”

Crowell said he is prepared for a rude reception from fans at training camp. The first practice is 3 p.m. July 29.

“I’m not really nervous,” he said. “I understand if people say bad things. Whatever people say, I understand. Everyone has an opinion and is free to their opinion. I feel like I can shake it off and move on. My main focus is football and trying to be the best I can be for my teammates and coaches. I understand what’s going on. I’m being accountable for my mistakes and I apologize.”

Crowell led the Browns with 706 rushing yards last season.

The Browns accepted his apology but will not dismiss Crowell’s poor judgment.

“It starts with, obviously, great disappointment in the action in the first place,” Brown said. “We don’t skip past that. Crow to his credit called both Hue and I on his own to be accountable. He had wanted to make steps.

“Obviously, it was a huge mistake for him. We will have some discussions internally and handle it internally, but he has taken the steps that I think at least at the outset to make something that was very wrong into a right. We’ll use that as a teaching lesson for the entire team.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE