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Josh Gordon's appeal denied, will serve one-year suspension

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has been suspended for the 2014 season by the NFL, according to a statement from the league. Gordon was appealing a one-year suspension for a positive drug test. 

Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports first reported the news.

Gordon's suspension will prevent him from practicing with Cleveland next summer and into next year's training camp unless the NFL decides to reinstate him earlier. 

Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports that an NFL spokesperson said in a statement that Gordon’s eligibility for reinstatement will be determined after the 2014 season.

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The NFL Players Associated released a statement on behalf of Gordon:

“I’d like to apologize to my teammates, coaches, the Cleveland Browns organization and our fans. I am very disappointed that the NFL and its hearing office didn’t exercise better discretion and judgment in my case. I would like to sincerely thank the people who have been incredibly supportive of me during this challenging time, including my family, my agent, my union, my legal team, and the Cleveland Browns staff.”

The Browns have argued that Gordon should be able to stay around the team facility during the suspension so that the team can help him, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport

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Gordon's appeal reportedly focused on the NFL's drug testing procedure, in which two urine samples are tested for drugs. In Gordon's case, only one of the samples was positive, and it was just barely over the threshold. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Gordon argued the positive test was the result of secondhand smoke.

Gordon caught 87 passes for 1,646 yards, best in the NFL, and nine touchdowns in 14 games last season. He made the Pro Bowl and the AP All-Pro first team.

On Tuesday, Gordon's DWI case in North Carolina was delayed until Nov. 18​.

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