KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) The Kansas City Chiefs have never been shy about giving players with questionable backgrounds a second chance.
Or third or fourth or fifth.
Or, in the case of Josh Gordon, a sixth.
The wildly talented yet trouble-prone wide receiver was reinstated by the NFL this week following his fifth suspension for violating its substance-abuse policy and policy on performance enhancers. And with a glaring need for a big, rangy wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes, it made sense that Kansas City was one of several teams to inquire about him.
Gordon wound up signing with the Chiefs on Tuesday. One day later, he was wearing a red No. 19 jersey and working out with the practice squad while trying to digest as much of coach Andy Reids robust offensive playbook as possible.
Josh is a good player. I think we all know that, Reid said, and hes worked hard on his situation and making sure it was right. Hes been reinstated by the league, which I thought was an important step, and so we welcome him aboard.
Reids reputation as a coach willing to give players the benefit of the doubt dates to his time in Philadelphia, when he most famously gave Michael Vick an opportunity to be his quarterback following his prison sentence for his role in a dogfighting ring.
It has continued in Kansas City with mixed results.
Many teams took Tyreek Hill off their draft boards entirely following his arrest on charges of domestic violence during his time at Oklahoma State. He had finished his college career at tiny West Alabama, where he got rave reviews from coaches, and the Chiefs took a fifth-round flier on him in the 2016 draft.
Not only has he steered clear of trouble, hes been a three-time All-Pro while setting a slew of franchise records.
Travis Kelce missed an entire college season at Cincinnati to a suspension, and many believe that hurt his stock leading up to the 2013 draft. The Chiefs took him in the third round and, much like Hill, he has earned three All-Pro nods, set a slew of records and joined up with his speedy counterpart to help the Chiefs win a Super Bowl.
On the other side of the coin are players such as Marcus Peters, Kareem Hunt and Frank Clark.
Peters was a two-time All-Pro cornerback for the Chiefs, who drafted him despite his getting kicked off his college team. But he had run-ins with coaches and teammates in Kansas City and ultimately was traded to the Rams.
Hunt, who also had issues in college, had a dominant rookie season for Kansas City before video surfaced of him kicking a woman in a hotel hallway. The Chiefs immediately released Hunt, who was later signed by the Browns.
In the case of Clark, who had a domestic violence arrest in college, the Chiefs traded with the Seahawks for him and signed the pass rusher to a long-term deal. But he was arrested again in March in Los Angeles and is facing a felony gun possession charge; his arraignment and plea hearing is set for next week.
Everybody deserves an opportunity to at least try to do the right thing, Reid said.
Gordons talent has never been disputed. He led the league with 1,646 yards receiving in 2013, when he was an All-Pro with Cleveland, and hes showed flashes of that same ability during brief stops in Seattle and New England.
The question is whether Gordon can avoid the drug issues that have plagued his career.
Hes had a great eight months here of taking care of business. The league obviously understands that hes a good guy, Reid said. We always sell Kansas City in general its a great place to live, a great fan base and so on. So you are going to have support. As long as youre doing the right things, youre going to have support.
The Chiefs also have a strong locker room culture that should help Gordon stay out of trouble.
We like bringing in good football players, guys that work hard and come here and want to win football games, Mahomes said, and so it was a heck of an opportunity to bring him in here and involve him in that receiver room, and hell have his role. Hes a great football player, and I think you know in this offense everybody gets a chance to make plays.
The Chiefs had hoped that Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson or Byron Pringle would emerge as their No. 2 wide receiver after Sammy Watkins left in free agency. But all of them have been inconsistent at best, and now they turn their hopes to a player whose size and athleticism is unlike anything else they have on the roster.
Hes going to be a guy that even if hes covered, hes not covered. You can kind of throw it up there and he can make plays, Mahomes said. Ive talked to him a little bit here now and he seems like a great dude that wants to come and work, so well see as he gets out here on the practice field how he can help us as an offense.
___
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
See the rest here:
Chiefs gambling that Gordon can stay out of trouble in KC - KMID - Local 2 News
- Sports betting and gambling addiction are on the rise - Dakota News Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Proposed Alabama gambling legislation includes lottery, casinos, sports betting - AL.com - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Super Bowl betting soars, but it's still not legal in Chiefs and 49ers home states - NPR - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Problem gambling has increased in Ohio since sports betting legalized - Hamilton Journal News - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports betting and gambling addiction are on the rise - KTIV Siouxland's News Channel - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports bets during the big game could trigger gambling addictions - 25 News Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Illegal gambling raid at El Patron leads to 1 arrest and 23 citations - KRIS 6 News Corpus Christi - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Experts discuss responsible gambling ahead of the Super Bowl - Spectrum News 1 - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Gambling addicts face tough test as Super Bowl 58 descends on Las Vegas and NFL cashes in - USA TODAY - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- What are the NFLs gambling rules for the Super Bowl in Las Vegas? - The Athletic - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Personal Frontiers gets $45K to treat gambling addiction - Gillette News Record - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Super Bowl Gambling Grows, But Pastors Are on the Sidelines | News & Reporting - ChristianityToday.com - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports betting leading to increase in gambling addiction - Dayton 24/7 Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Betting on the Super Bowl: Impacts of sports gambling in Ohio as state's help hotline sees jump in calls - WKYC.com - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports gambling during the NFL Championship game will increase addiction rates - 25 News Now - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Billionaires Are Trying to Bring Casinos and Gambling to Texas - Robb Report - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Gambling becomes the first big issue of the legislative session - WBHM - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- DraftKings, helplines, and the hidden toll of sports gambling - The Boston Globe - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- The Super Bowl and gambling are locked in a tight and dangerous embrace - The Guardian - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Sports gambling addictions on the rise due to online betting, experts warn ahead of Super Bowl LVIII - WLS-TV - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Ads, food and gambling galore 5 essential reads for the Super Bowl - The Conversation - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Michigan Association on Problem Gambling warns of gambling problems ahead of Super Bowl - 9 & 10 News - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Ivey addresses gambling, AI, broadband and more - Alabama Political Reporter - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 02/10 - Zone Coverage - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Super Bowl gambling to break records - Action News 5 - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Capitol Notebook: Iowa gambling commission names new administrator - The Gazette - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Gambling in Iran: A prohibited but flourishing pursuit in digital age - G2G News - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addresses legalized gambling, officiating, player safety ahead of Super Bowl LVIII - NFL.com - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Players on the 49ers and Chiefs are barred from gambling in Vegas, until the game ends - NBC Sports - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Judge in Borgata/MGM case rules casinos have no duty to stop compulsive gamblers from betting - The Associated Press - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- The Future of Florida's Sports Gambling on the Docket - 1290 WJNO - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 01/03 - Zone Coverage - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Casino smoking and boosting in-person gambling are among challenges for Atlantic City in 2024 - The Associated Press - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- What Are the Gambling Laws and Restrictions in Idaho? - kezj.com - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- NFL losing luster as obsession with gambling, numbers takes over - Herald-Mail Media - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- How old do you have to be to gamble in Arizona? What to know about gambling laws - The Arizona Republic - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- NY State Revenues from Sports Gambling Tops $2.9 Billion - Yonkers Times - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Gambling problem help-line calls have tripled since legislature legalized sports betting - pmg-ky2.com - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Here's why Americans spend nearly 4 times more money gambling at casinos than in the lottery - Newscenter1.tv - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Another Landmark Year In Store For New York Gambling In 2024 - Play NY - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- As sports gambling in Missouri remains illegal bars and restaurants in Springfield try to get as close as possible - KY3 - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Israel 'gambling' on Hezbollah avoiding all-out war after killing of Saleh Al Arouri - The National - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- What should the gambling industry's New Year's resolutions be in 2024? - Gambling Insider - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- San Jose Police Arrest Five Suspects in East San Jose for Illegal Gambling, Prostitution - San Jose Inside - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- NASCAR 2023 Season Recap I NASCAR Gambling Podcast (Ep. 319) - SGPN - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Support for gambling addiction increases in Ohio during first year of legal sports betting - WTRF - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Maine lawmakers consider expansion of tribal rights to online gambling, land-based casinos - Yogonet International - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 01/01 - Zone Coverage - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Virtual Reality Casinos: The Future Of Online Gambling? - TNT Magazine - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- 2024 could be the year Georgia lawmakers move on gambling expansion - The Albany Herald - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Helpline Calls Spike With Virginia Gambling Expansion - Scott County Virginia Star - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- 2024 could be the year Georgia lawmakers move on gambling expansion - The Center Square - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- The River: The story starts in 1991 as Vanna White cuts the ribbon opening casino boat gambling . . . - NKyTribune - User-generated content - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Cowboys-Lions Saturday MNF Week 17: Open thread and gambling picks - Silver And Black Pride - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- NBA First FG Props - January 2 - SGPN - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- 2024 will be 2023 all over again; gambling going nowhere; Decatur is a mess; and more on Alabama Politics This ... - Yellowhammer News - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Lawmakers propose bills to expand tribal gaming - Press Herald - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Five arrested after San Jose raid uncovers illegal gambling, prostitution, weapons - The Mercury News - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- NBA First FG Props - January 3 - SGPN - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- Gambling addiction resources available for those who need it - Fox 56 News - January 4th, 2024 [January 4th, 2024]
- 'Get your house in order': Lawmakers admonish gambling regulation agency, which defends processes - Indiana Capital Chronicle - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Blaise Ingoglia bill could open gambling options in the state - Florida Politics - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 12/24 - Zone Coverage - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Gen Z Stocks: The Path from Gambling to Investment - TipRanks.com - TipRanks - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- API report warns that gambling, state lotto legalization comes with downsides - Yellowhammer News - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Sports Gambling Special with Jason Sarney and Andy Slater of FOX SPORTS 640 - Miami Dolphins - Dolphins Talk - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- U.K. Parliamentary Committee Wants Premier League, Other Sports to Curb Gambling Ads - Covers - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Leader of state gambling regulation leaving for another job - Radio Iowa - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Brazil green lights online gambling regulation - igaming included - iGaming Business - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Shift to Eco-Friendly Practices in Online Gambling - Smithfield Times Eco-Innovation in Online Gambling: A Green ... - Smithfield Times - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- State Rep. Brown predicts vote on legislation with 'free-market - 1819 News - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Saints-Rams Thursday Night Football: Open thread and gambling picks - Silver And Black Pride - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Kentucky Edition | Kentucky's First Problem Gambling Fund | Season 2 | Episode 145 - PBS - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Boxing Day Preview and Best Bets - SGPN - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- 2024 Elections: Changhua officials arrest four for election gambling - - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Tiny Nicks Gambling Picks: 12/23 - Zone Coverage - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- MGM Resorts International donates six-figure sum to gambling harms research - EGR Global - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- The Degenerate's Gambit: 2023 Week 16 NFL Gambling Lines with Tony - Football Absurdity - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- The Mailbag Episode + State of Professional Golf | Golf Gambling Podcast (Ep. 331) - SGPN - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]
- Brazil Green Lights Sports Betting And Online Gambling Bill - World Casino Directory - December 25th, 2023 [December 25th, 2023]