FOXBOROUGH — Before Sunday's game against the Jets, Josh Gordon was certainly a member of the Patriots, but he was a bit of an enigma to even his teammates. Probably still is.
Sure, players huddled around him and protected him, called him part of the family and all that, but deep down his teammates really didn't know what to make of him.
He's gone to war with them — 14 games now — but you never got the sense he was truly part of the fabric of the team. He was an outlier and an outsider. Considering the history so many have on this team, that's not all that surprising.
It's also not surprising considering the issues Gordon has dealt with over the years, substance and otherwise. And, let's be honest, it's hard to fully embrace someone who's with you for 11 games, like Gordon was last season, and then was suddenly AWOL after a crushing loss in Pittsburgh with the season on the line, never to be heard from again as he was banished into the NFL's abyss of the indefinite suspension.
If Josh Gordon goes on to do great things this season — starting with lasting the entire campaign until, likely, February — you might be able to look back on Sept. 22, 2019, as the day Gordon truly became a member of these New England Patriots. And maybe, just maybe, the day a life that has always had unlimited potential, stayed on the straight and narrow for good.
No, it wasn't about his on-field performance. Gordon's certainly had better days than six catches for 83 yards as a Patriot. His six catches were a high for him as a Patriot, but he's eclipsed the yardage mark three times and did better than his 13.8 per-catch average 11 times.
Though, I'm note sure he's had better than the two highlight-reel catches he posted Sunday.
The first was a 28-yard how did he do that? highwire act along the sidelines to convert a 3rd and 22 late in the third quarter to set up a Rex Burkhead touchdown.
HOW?!
What a catch, @JOSH_GORDONXII! pic.twitter.com/2LSyzkPbj8
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 22, 2019
The second came on the next possession where he skyed so high for a 22-yard catch that he left four Jets defenders baffled and in awe.
"CAUGHT BY GORDON, WHAT A GRAB!"@JOSH_GORDONXII | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/hvv9PhQseD
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 22, 2019
"Josh made a huge play," Brady said of the 3rd and 22 conversion. "Made a bunch all day. ... Proud of him and what he accomplished today. That was a huge play in the game."
(Adam Richins for BSJ)
Being productive is great. Making huge, clutch plays, that's terrific. But that doesn't earn you the respect of teammates or their undying loyalty. Look at the receiver who just left Foxborough, who may or may not be on his fourth team in less than a half-season at some point. You won't hear anyone in the rank and file pining for him, even if he's arguably the best all-around receiver in the game right now.
No, to become truly part of a team, there are only two ways to earn the respect of teammates in the realm of professional sports. No. 1, you're always there and accountable. No matter what's going on in your personal or professional life, you're always present to have the backs of your teammates. Not sure if the Patriots will ever be sold on Gordon in this regard given his history — ancient and recent — but you have to start somewhere and, slowly but surely, as you stack days on top of each, then weeks and months.
"We’re happy that Josh is with us because that means he’s going well personally and we support him," said team heartbeat Matthew Slater. "It’s been tremendous to see him come back into this locker room, be embraced, dive right in, work hard, be selfless, keep his head down and just take things one day at a time. We’re going to continue to do that with Josh."
The other way to weave into the fabric a team unit? That's where Sunday comes in.
When you literally bleed for your teammates, that's how the bond becomes strongest. Blood brothers. Against the Jets, Gordon was bruised, battered and dislocated, but still kept answering the bell.
Late in the first half, Gordon gave up his body and safety to attempt to catch a pass from Brady. He was interfered with — which picked up 28 yards for the Patriots — but Gordon paid the price physically when he landed on his back. He was in obvious pain, had to be helped off and required medical attention.
Gordon was right there with his teammates in the second half.
On the team's second drive, Gordon was blocking for Phillip Dorsett when it appeared that he dislocated a finger and was in obvious pain.
Josh Gordon injuring his left hand/wrist/fingers (?) #Patriots pic.twitter.com/J9xNTwg0m1
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) September 22, 2019
Gordon went to the bench, took off his glove, got treated and taped, and went right back into the game. And he would produce those two astounding catches.
(Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Twice, Gordon was knocked down by injury. Twice, Gordon came back and produced for his teammates. Don't think that went unnoticed.
“He is a warrior," said Dorsett. "He came back in the game and he knew we needed him.”
"We call that War Daddy Deluxe, because he was out there taking hits, dislocating ... I don't know what he did to his finger, but I'm assuming it wasn't good," said Slater. "He showed a lot of toughness today."
Catches are great. Production is always welcome. But getting busted up twice, and going right back into the game? That's how you become, truly, a real part of a team.
Welcome to the Patriots, Josh Gordon. You're one of them now.