Josh Gordon continues to be a mystery this NFL offseason, and his absence from the Cleveland Browns has given rise to speculations that he may be battling substance-abuse issues again or anything related to it. However, Gordon is reportedly embroiled in an entirely different situation that could be the reason why he’s been away from his team since late last July.
According to Phil Trexler of WKYC, Gordon is currently in a legal dispute with Christina Lockhart, the mother of the wide receiver’s three-year-old daughter, over child-support payments.
It was found out that Gordon has been tasked by a court to pay $6,765 per month beginning this August, but has yet to pay that amount to Lockhart.
The first payment was due Aug. 1, however, the payment has not yet been received, Lockhart's attorney, Joseph Stafford said. Any child support payments will come through the state and will be deducted from Gordon's paycheck from the Browns.
While Gordon can afford to pay that with this 2018 salary from the Browns, his first pay won’t come until Sept. 9, which is the first week of the new NFL season.
In a text message sent by Gordon to Lockhart in 2017 and revealed by court papers, the wideout admitted that he did not have enough financial leg room at that time to support both the mothers of his two children.
“After my debt and monthly bills, I’d say it could range from 2-4k for U and [the second mother],” he texted. “My salary goes up next year so I could afford more & after that hopefully a new contract & I can afford more but for now…I can barely afford any of it.”
It’s unclear when exactly Gordon will be back to the team, but the Browns’ patience can understandably be wearing thin on the talented, but problematic, downfield threat.
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