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Gordon admits to selfish past, says he's ready to change

Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon attended his first media availability since being reinstated by the league following his lengthy suspension Thursday.

He reassured reporters that he's changed his ways since last being in the NFL and that he's much more open to support from the team after acting selfishly as a younger player.

"I have a great support staff here, more so than I've ever felt before," Gordon told reporters, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal. "It plays a part on both sides. Me wanting to give in to that support and allow them to help me and me wanting to be helped, as I opposed to before me trying to be selfish and do things on my own."

Gordon struggled to deal with previous suspensions after being forced to spend time away from the team, but insists he's stronger mentally and ready to return to the team.

"I definitely think I'm a different person. If you haven't changed over a period of time than it's definitely a bad thing. I think me standing here is a testament to that," Gordon said. "Most people might not see it that way. That just comes with the territory with me being who I am, considering my past. But I'm only looking towards the future. And hopefully people can see that."

The 25-year-old will have his locker next to quarterback Robert Griffin III this season, which Gordon said is "not a mistake."

"He's the reason I committed to Baylor in 2009. That's one of my best friends," said Gordon. "He looks out for me. He's part of my support staff that I was mentioning."

Gordon also acknowledged his friendship with troubled former quarterback Johnny Manziel and said that he won't denounce their relationship, but admitted that "they are definitely two different people on two different paths."

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