Patriots stars take to Instagram offering messages of support to Josh Gordon

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Josh Gordon is receiving messages of support from his teammates through social media.

The New England Patriots as an organization are typically very tight-lipped when it comes to dealing with the media and public perception. Head coach Bill Belichick has set the tone for nearly two decades now, becoming almost as famous for his surly press conferences with reporters as he is for his prowess in the game.

That doesn’t mean members of the team don’t care though.

With news breaking this week that star receiver Josh Gordon would be stepping away from football in order to focus on his mental health, a number of Patriots offered up messages of support and empathy for the troubled young talent.

Belichick called it “an unfortunate situation” before wishing Josh “the very best” during a news conference Friday. “I hope that he’s able to deal with successfully,” Belichick added, before focusing his conference on the Patriots’ next opponent, the Buffalo Bills.

Quarterback Tom Brady was also asked about Gordon during his Friday news conference, and didn’t seem to want to comment, at least not to reporters.

On Saturday, however, Brady posted an image on Instagram of him embracing Gordon during a football game, along with the caption “PRAYERS UP!!!”

For a veteran player like Brady who’s had years now of dealing with the press, it’s apparent he wanted to express his message of support to Gordon his own way, through an Instagram story for his followers.

Fellow wideout Julian Edelman also took to social media to express his thoughts on Gordon. Edelman added an image on his Instagram story of he and Gordon embracing in-game during a celebration, along with the caption “FEEL BETTER SOON BUBS.”

Clearly, Gordon is gone but certainly not forgotten by his coach and teammates.