Josh Gordon's Agent Reveals Latest Relapse Was Because of Brother's Death

Free agent wide receiver Josh Gordon caught a lot of heat in December when he was suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, and understandably so. After all, it seemed like the former All-Pro had turned a huge corner and was fully focused on reviving his pro career at long last.

Given Gordon's lengthy suspension history, fans jumping to conclusions was conceivable at the time. However, league insider Tom Pelissero has just revealed what prompted the 29-year-old to relapse, and it's heartbreaking, to say the least.

Per Pelissero, Gordon's brother passed way roughly a month before his December 2019 suspension.

That is simply awful, and we can't imagine what sort of trauma Gordon went through after learning of his brother's passing. Based on the statement released by the former Seattle Seahawk's lawyer, Adam Kenner, he was devastated to the point where he was willing to derail the progress he had made in previous months.

It's admittedly difficult to sympathize with a player that's been suspended six times by the NFL, five of which were for some form of substance abuse, but the death of a loved one casts that latest punishmet in an entirely different light.

Gordon filed for reinstatement with the league on Wednesday, and we seriously hope the NFL doesn't use this tragedy against him when mulling over whether it should authorize his return.