Former All-Pro Josh Gordon dazzled XFL fans on Saturday, scoring a game-winning 65-yard touchdown in the Seattle Sea Dragons‘ 30-26 victory over the Vegas Vipers.
Making such a huge play during the most crucial part of the game is impressive enough, but Gordon made it look like a walk in the park. Oh, and one other thing, Gordon’s heroics came on fourth down.
With his team trailing 26-24 with 1:12 to go, Gordon snatched a contested ball from quarterback Ben DiNucci at the 25-yard line and backpedaled before tip-toeing around two defenders into the end zone.
Gordon averaged 19.7 yards per catch on Saturday, catching six of seven targets for 118 yards and two scores. Gordon has recorded 17 catches for 225 yards and three touchdowns three weeks into the XFL season. He ranked fourth in the XFL in receiving yards entering play Saturday.
Like his quarterback and many more throughout the league, Gordon hopes his performance in the XFL might lead to a return to the NFL.
However, unlike others, Gordon’s road back might be considerably more challenging. Gordon failed several drug tests for marijuana, violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy five times while receiving six suspensions from the league.
The NFL’s policy on marijuana is decidedly less extreme nowadays, but at 31 years old, Gordon’s chances to get back may have run out.
Gordon does have support in the form of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward, who recently called for Gordon and others, who’ve seemingly been blackballed over marijuana violations, to get another shot in the NFL.
