Odds are that most of you who are reading this know someone who has dealt with addiction. Whether it a friend, family member, or yourself.

Addiction can hit anyone through any variety of substances. Most people have the opportunity to deal with addiction in private, should they choose to. This freedom is typically not given to celebrities, athletes in particular. Their fans often forget that these are real people with real flaws and when their lives are broadcasted for the world to have an opinion on, the situation will typically escalate to dangerous levels.

This is the case for Josh Gordon.

Joshua Caleb Gordon had his first brush with national media at the ripe old age of 20. This kid couldn't even legally drink yet and he has the attention of national sports analysts. Gordon was suspended indefinitely from the Baylor football team after his second marijuana-related offense.

After transferring to the University of Utah and sitting out of football for a season, Gordon entered the 2012 Supplemental Draft and was selected by the Cleveland Browns. Gordon went on to play two superb seasons for the Cleveland Browns, having over 2,400 yards receiving and 14 touchdowns. Doing so, while missing two games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy.

For the 2014 season, Gordon was suspended for 10 games by the NFL and then an additional game for the season finale by the Browns for violating teams rules. Since 2014, Josh has not appeared on the field for the Browns and has been in and out of in-patient rehabilitation. At the time of this article, Josh is just over 70 days into a stint that he believes will last around 110.

"This is a sharp kid. An insightful kid. An eloquent kid. Still a kid. One who is highly impressive but deeply flawed." -Skip Bayless 10/1/2016

I would be lying to myself if I said that I didn't feel as if the games I watch every week are more than just games. I'm so passionate about the contrary, it's why I began writing these articles. Sports can represent an infinite number of things to their fans.

However, we shouldn't forget that at their core, they are just games. They are games played by humans, much like ourselves, who are not perfect despite how badly we wished that they were. They all have their flaws and they all have their demons just like many of us. But so many of us forget the impact our words can have on someone who already feels lost.

I chose to write this article, not just for Josh, but for the many who only wish to see Josh back on the football field. Today, I watched Josh's story as told on UNDISPUTED and it only confirmed what I had thought about him. He, like many people in my age range, might not know what they want in life until it's nearly out of reach.

In Josh's case, it isn't football but instead fatherhood. Josh has a two-year-old daughter whom he has had minimal contact her whole life. He realized I think, that he has found his reason to live the life he wants. Anyone who sees that and doesn't wish Josh the best of luck is severely lacking in their humanity.

Josh, if you read this, I wish you the best of luck. I hope that you become the version of yourself you are striving for, and I hope that you hear the voice of your true fans. We're the ones that want to see you happy with who you are. Your life is far more important than football would ever be.