Broncos’ RB issues apology
Gordon makes first public comments since Oct. 13 DUI arrest
ENGLEWOOD — In his first public comments since being arrested earlier this month, Broncos running back Melvin Gordon said Wednesday he was “ver y apologetic” about the incident in downtown Denver on Oct. 13.
“Because of the legal things, I haven’t been able to publicly say what I needed to say, but to put it out (there), I am sorry I was even in the situation,” Gordon said after practice. “I don’t want people to feel like, ‘Because Melvin didn’t say anything or didn’t speak out, he’s not apologetic about the situation.’ That’s not the case at all.”
When Gordon signed a twoyear contract with the Broncos in mid-march, he was already looking for ward to playing his former team, the Los Angeles Chargers. The Broncos host the Chargers on Sunday, but the Gordon-bolts reunion has been overshadowed by the arrest.
Gordon was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and speeding. He was driving 71 mph in a 35 mph zone when he was pulled over by Denver police and is due in cour t on Nov. 13. The Broncos were on a three-day break when Gordon ran into trouble. He was kept out of practice Oct. 15 by coach Vic Fangio and practiced only once before being shut down with an illness that kept him out of the win over New England.
“As a man, you have to face whatever challenges you have,” Gordon said. “It hasn’t been the easiest thing, but I feel like I can pretty much get through anything with a solid mindset.”
Gordon said he called general manager John Elway, members of the coaching staf f and selected teammates after his arrest.
“Obviously, I tr y my best to walk a straight line and lead by
example,” he said. “I’m a little upset I even put myself in this situation. I had a hard time just dealing with it myself — never been in trouble before.
“To the people of Denver and ever yone, I just don’t want anyone to feel like I don’t care and (think), ‘Oh, he has money, he doesn’t care.’ I do.
“I’m not happy I was in that situation.”
Under the new collective bargaining agreement,
DUI convictions can carry a three-game suspension. The NFL of fice, not the Broncos, handles the discipline and generally waits until the legal case is closed.
“I’m not really worried about (a potential suspension) to be honest,” Gordon said. “You deal with that when you have to deal it. Right now, I’m focused on the Chargers and getting my mind prepared to win this game.”
‘This game’ is a must-win for the 2-4 Broncos if they want to get to .500 by the season’s halfway point. Gordon will start and be the lead back if Phillip Lindsay (concussion) is unavailable. Gordon leads the team in rushing attempts (82), yards (349) and touchdowns (four).
Gordon played the last five years for the Chargers, who drafted him 15th overall in 2015. In 57 regularseason games, he rushed for 4,240 yards and 36 touchdowns and caught 224 passes (11 touchdowns).
The Gordon-chargers marriage dissolved last year when he held out of training camp and the first three regular-season games in a contract dispute. During the of fseason, the Chargers committed to Eaton native Austin Ekeler and let Gordon walk in free agency.
“I’ve talked to a couple of guys and they told me they’re going to be coming after me,” Gordon said with a laugh. “I don’t take it any differently than any other week. I’ll practice really hard and tr y to mentally and physically ready for any team ahead of us. You don’t want to be overly hyped with emotion because that’s how you make mistakes and do too much and put yourself in a bad position.”
Trying to do too much got Gordon in a bad position against Kansas City last Sunday. He lost a fumwith ble near midfield after a 16yard catch and later delivered an errant toss to quarterback Drew Lock on a flea-flicker that was recovered by the Chiefs.
“The guy who fumbles feels the worst in the whole stadium and whole world at that point of time,” Gordon said.
“But I’m dying to make a play. I’m tr ying to help this team win and I’ll do whatever it takes as a competitor and sometimes, when you have 3-4 guys on you, you have to be smar t and go down. You can’t take on the whole team. I don’t feel like (fumbling) is an issue for me.
“As far as the flea-flicker, how many times in a year do you run that play? It was unfor tunate. I put too much on it. I was upset with myself.”