Patriots' Josh Gordon announces he's stepping away from football for mental health reasons
By Caitlin O'Kane
/ CBS News
Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon says he is taking a break from football to focus on his mental health. The player announced his decision on Twitter Thursday.
"I take my mental health very seriously at this point to ensure I remain able to perform at the highest level," Gordon wrote. "I have recently felt like I could have a better grasp on things mentally."
"With that said, I will be stepping away from the football field for a bit to focus on my mental health," Gordon continued in the now-viral post. He thanked Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and the team's owner, Robert Kraft, "as well as countless others within the Patriots organization for their continued support."
"I want to thank my fans for their support as well as I continue down the path getting back to 100%," he wrote.
The team responded with a tweet offering Gordon their support "in his continued efforts to focus on his health."
Statement from the New England Patriots on Josh Gordon: pic.twitter.com/tXmXrXVrJL
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 20, 2018
Gordon has been open with his struggle with addiction and has admitted to playing games and attending practice while drunk or high when he was with the Browns, CBS Sports reports.
Gordon first mentioned stepping away from the NFL in order to focus on his mental health this summer. He made a similar announcement while at training camp with the Browns, but ultimately returned to the team soon after, CBS Sports reports.
He was then traded to the Patriots in exchange for a late-round draft pick. Teammate Rob Gronkowski called Gordon a "reliable" player and person, according to CBS Sports.
Gordon was suspended for violating the NFL substance abuse multiple times and was also suspended from the Browns for violating team rules. He was granted a conditional reinstatement last year, but according to the NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Gordon violated the agreement. Pelissero reported that Gordon is facing another suspension for violating the terms of his reinstatement.
#Patriots WR Josh Gordon is facing another indefinite suspension for violating terms of his reinstatement under the substance abuse policy, per source. He announced today he’s stepping away to address his mental health.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 20, 2018
First published on December 20, 2018
© 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Josh Gordon taking break from NFL for mental health
"I have recently felt like I could have a better grasp on things mentally," Gordon wrote
updated 17M ago 
Mueller requests transcript of Stone's interview with House panel
Earlier this month, Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the panel, said Mueller should be provided with Stone's testimony for evidence of perjury
updated 18M ago 
Amazon sent 1,700 Alexa recordings to wrong customer
Man who reportedly never used the company's virtual assistant received 1,700 recordings it had made of a stranger
updated 6M ago 
Rod Rosenstein, Chris Wray announce indictment of Chinese hackers
The deputy attorney general and the FBI director are unsealing charges against Chinese hackers accused of penetrating networks of U.S. agencies and companies
updated 18M ago 
Judge: Sex assault case against Harvey Weinstein can move forward
Weinstein's lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, claims the rape case was "irreparably tainted" by alleged police misconduct
updated 23M ago 
The lawsuits that could bankrupt the opioid industry
The attorney behind a multibillion-dollar tobacco settlement in 1998 has turned his attention to the opioid epidemic. And he wants drug companies to pay
Dec 17 
Cleaning up the plastic in the ocean
Discarded plastic is piling up around the world and pooling in the ocean. Sharyn Alfonsi reports on the problem's deadly consequences for wildlife and what can be done to stop it
Dec 16 
Tesla CEO Elon Musk: The "60 Minutes" interview
Musk opens up to Lesley Stahl about Twitter, pot, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Model 3 and Tesla
Dec 9 
Study examines effects of screen time on kids
"60 Minutes" goes inside a landmark government study of young minds to see if phones, tablets and other screens are impacting adolescent brain development
Dec 10 
Ryan Speedo Green: From juvenile delinquency to opera stardom
After a childhood of anger and violence, the 32-year-old now commands the stage around the world
Dec 9 
Remembering President George H.W. Bush
Former presidents and others look back on the life of President George H.W. Bush, who passed away Friday
Dec 2 
Paradise Lost: Inside California's Camp Fire
"60 Minutes" reveals what firefighters saw as the deadliest wildfire in California history destroyed the town of Paradise
Dec 2 
The chaos behind family separation at the border
A "60 Minutes" investigation has found the separations that dominated headlines this summer began earlier and were greater in number than the Trump administration admits
Nov 26 
Right Rail – Video Promo – Listing
Winter storm to delay holiday travel
A powerful storm building in the Southeast threatens to make it harder for millions of Americans to travel this Christmas. AAA predicts more than 112 million Americans will travel by road, air, or train between now and the end of the year. David Begnaud reports.
3H ago 02:02 
From the "60 Minutes" archives: Huawei
In 2012, Steve Kroft reported on the Chinese telecom giant's pursuit of building the next generation of digital networks in the U.S. and how it prompted an outcry in Washington.
20H ago 13:38 
Gatwick Airport at standstill due to drones
Flights in and out of Britain's second busiest airport are suspended after drones were spotted flying in the area. Ten-thousand passengers are affected by the delays at Gatwick Airport outside London. Roxana Saberi reports.
3H ago 01:37 
Congress votes on stopgap spending bill
Congress is taking action to prevent a threatened partial government shutdown Friday. The House plans to vote Thursday on a spending bill to pay the bills until Feb. 8. The Senate approved the measure Monday night without adding the money that President Trump demanded for border security. Nancy Cordes reports.
3H ago 02:20 
Republicans criticize Trump for Syria decision
President Trump is pulling out the last 2,000 American troops in Syria. They've been fighting against ISIS, and the president says they've done their job. But his surprise announcement Wednesday was condemned by many of his usual allies. David Martin reports.
3H ago 02:44 
Latest From CBS News
Forced labor in China produced U.S. imports
The Associated Press investigated where one American company was getting imported clothing. The clothing was traced back to one of several internment camps in China, where thousands of Muslim detainees are being forced to work. Co-author of the AP report, Dake Kang, joined CBSN to discuss what they found.
updated 1M ago 06:28
Josh Gordon taking break from NFL for mental health
"I have recently felt like I could have a better grasp on things mentally," Gordon wrote
updated 17M ago
Mueller requests transcript of Stone's interview with House panel
Earlier this month, Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the panel, said Mueller should be provided with Stone's testimony for evidence of perjury
updated 18M ago
Amazon sent 1,700 Alexa recordings to wrong customer
Man who reportedly never used the company's virtual assistant received 1,700 recordings it had made of a stranger
updated 6M ago
Rod Rosenstein, Chris Wray announce indictment of Chinese hackers
The deputy attorney general and the FBI director are unsealing charges against Chinese hackers accused of penetrating networks of U.S. agencies and companies
updated 18M ago 
Judge refuses to dismiss Weinstein charges
A judge in New York City ruled that sexual assault charges against disgraced film mogul Harvey Weinstein can proceed to trial. Weinstein's lawyers sought to have the case dismissed over alleged mishandling by police. Watch as attorneys on both sides react to the judge's ruling.
updated 2M ago 11:29 
2018 additions to the Library of Congress' National Film Registry
"The Shining," "Jurassic Park," "My Fair Lady" and "Brokeback Mountain" are among the classic films to be preserved for future generations by the Library of Congress
Dec 12 27 photos 
The timeless photojournalism of Chris Hondros and Tim Hetherington
"War and Peace in Liberia" is a new exhibition in New York City celebrating the work of two acclaimed war photographers, who were both killed in conflict zones
Dec 9 15 photos 
Yemen's humanitarian crisis
The nation's civil war has claimed at least 10,000 lives, and generated the world's worst humanitarian crisis
Dec 17 24 photos 
Notable deaths in 2018
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity
Dec 17 136 photos 
Biggest stories of 2018, ranked
This year was a doozy. These were the top stories on CBSNews.com
Dec 6 55 photos 
Veteran takes 3 buses almost every day to visit wife's grave
She stood by him for 72 years, and he's standing by her now
20H ago 
Thanks for the help of a loving neighbor
For many people flooded out of their homes in and around Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the most welcoming port in the storm has been a total stranger. Jaret Hucks, who owns the Midtown Inn and Cottages, has given away almost a thousand free nights to this community's poorest and most vulnerable evacuees. Steve Hartman revisits the story he first reported earlier this fall, and about a new flood that followed.
Nov 25 02:13 
Student's dedicated service dog awarded honorary diploma
Grad student Brittany Hawley graduated this weekend — but she didn't cross the stage alone
Dec 19 
Elderly neighbor's Christmas generosity melts hearts
2-year-old Cadi now has a special present to open every Christmas until she is 16 years old
Dec 18 
Foundation brings dogs to brighten people's days
The Good Dog Foundation brings pups to people in need of some love
Dec 18 
Gold Star families get trip to Disney
Attendees received "we remember" pins to wear to the park and went to an event where each of their fallen family members were honored
Dec 14 Original Article
