Former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last summer, had his fair share of trials and tribulations during his playing days. Prior to putting up eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with Minnesota, Carter was shown the door by the Philadelphia Eagles after just three seasons.
So Carter knows what it feels like to be a malcontent both on and off the field. His history is well documented. Carter indicated on ESPN’s Mike and Mike that the Cleveland Browns should cut ties with troubled young wide receiver Josh Gordon (h/t Pro Football Talk).
I feel for the kid…My situation was very, very similar. If I’m the Cleveland Browns — and it’s gut-wrenching for me to say this — I really think that the only thing that’s going to help the kid is if they release him.
Gordon, who is facing a year-long suspension, was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of driving under the influence. It was the latest incident in what has been a string of issues gof Gordon, who continues to appear on police blotters throughout the country. While this new incident might very well signal an end to Gordon’s Browns career, the team hasn’t made a move in the 48 hours since Gordon’s arrest.
For his part, Carter continued…
We’re dealing with addiction,” Carter said. “We’re dealing with a disease. If Josh had cancer we’d put him in a treatment center. And right now that’s what we need to do for him. But no one wants to do the hard thing. Everyone wants to keep coddling him, the same way they did in high school, the same thing they did at Baylor, where he had problems. Eventually it’s going to blow up. Now it’s blowing up in the National Football League, and his career is in jeopardy.
Again with the addiction and cancer comparison. But the idea of tough love is something that comes up every once in a while when dealing with addiction. Carter had previously indicatred that those around Gordon might be “coddling” him.
On the field, it will be extremely difficult for Cleveland to cut a player that put up one of the best statistical seasons for a wide receiver in the history of the league. Despite missing two games due to suspension (imagine that), Gordon put up 87 receptions for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns.
Off the football field, let’s all hope Gordon gets the help that he needs. If not, we could be looking at the end of what was a promising NFL career.
Photo: Thecurrent.com