Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Cleveland Browns great Jim Brown has talked twice in the past month with suspended receiver Josh Gordon, and Brown likes what he heard, he told Cleveland.com on Thursday.
"I've talked with Josh twice on the phone, and the last time I talked with him, he sounded very motivated, and I think he was in rehab and feeling good about it and discovering some things about himself,'' Brown told Cleveland.com at the Cleveland Browns Foundation's charity golf tournament. "He really seemed ready to take responsibility for himself.''
Brown did not provide details on the rehab but said he thought Gordon was home when the two spoke. Drew Rosenhaus, Gordon's agent, declined to comment.
Gordon was banned for one year from the NFL in February 2015 for violating the league's substance-abuse policies. He was also suspended 10 games by the league and one game by the team in the 2014 season. Gordon has missed 27 of the team's past 32 games because of suspensions.
Brown said owner Jimmy Haslam and coach Hue Jackson would "be very happy to have [Gordon] back" if he adhered to the league's rules.
The Browns have continually said they will not address Gordon's situation until the league decides whether Gordon will be reinstated. Gordon's application for reinstatement was denied in April, but the NFL told him he could reapply after Aug. 1.
If he is reinstated, the team will sit down and talk with Gordon and see his frame of mind and attitude before making any decision on taking him back.
The Browns took four receivers in this year's draft, including first-round pick Corey Coleman.