Browns WR Gordon ineligible to play in CFL

Josh Gordon (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Josh Gordon has Ricky Williams to fault for not being able to play in the Canadian Football League this season.

Both ESPN and NFL Network reported Thursday morning that the Cleveland Browns receiver, suspended for a full year by the NFL on Wednesday, was exploring options to play the remainder of the 2014 season in the CFL.

But Gordon is actually ineligible to play in Canada.

In the aftermath of Williams signing with the Toronto Argonauts in 2007, while under serving one-year NFL drug violation, the CFL implemented a new rule whereby players still under contract to another pro league are ineligible to play north of the border while suspended. The ‘Ricky Williams rule’ has prevented others in similar situations to Gordon from playing in the Canadian league.

Former Colts receiver LaVon Brazill just signed a practice roster deal with the Argonauts on Wednesday. But the difference with Brazill is that he was released by Indianapolis in July, following his second violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, making him a free agent.

Regardless, Gordon was unlikely to receive permission from the Browns to play in Canada, what with being one of the NFL’s top players.

The CFL’s drug policy doesn’t issue discipline for marijuana and other recreational substances that are deemed not performance enhancing.

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