Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon wrote an open letter last Tuesday, saying how he was not a drug addict and that his recently failed drug tests were all a result of his age, his upbringing, and his immaturity.

Gordon most recently violated the National Football League's (NFL) substance abuse policy. He tested positive for alcohol and then plead guilty to a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) charge in September.

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He is banned for one year.

However, this is not the first violation rodeo for Gordon. In 2013, he served two drug-related suspensions as he tested positive for codeine and marijuana.

A new drug policy instated by the NFL granted Gordon a supposed temporary retrieve, for without it he would have still been banned. It doesn't make much of a difference though given his current predicament.

It is easy to look at Gordon's past raps and identify him as a substance abuser or just plain trouble.

An open letter that Gordon wrote though explains things from his perspective.

In the letter, he states that he is not a drug addict or an alcoholic. He adds that he is not an example to be made of, of all the wrong things that can go wrong for a professional athlete.

Instead, he says he is just plain human. He makes mistakes, but says he is a good person and that he will persevere.

"If I have a "problem," it is that I am only 23 years old - with a lot left to learn."

The letter was written to Charles Barkley and several sports casters who commented on his poor upbringing.

He also explained that the alcohol he most recently tested positive for were two beers and two drinks he took on a flight to Las Vegas with his teammates. They were his first drinks in a year.

He ends a letter with the tone that should be expected of everybody, not only the young; with the inclination towards hope.

Gordon is sure that whatever he is going through, it will only make him stronger. His future is bright. 

Tagsjosh gordon, cleveland browns, NFL, open letter