New Broncos RB Melvin Gordon vows to prove doubters wrong

Chris Myson

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New Broncos RB Melvin Gordon vows to prove doubters wrong image

Melvin Gordon says critics of his ability have given him fuel to prove he is "not an average running back."

The two-time Pro Bowler signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Denver Broncos on March 26 after leaving the Los Angeles Chargers, whom he will now meet twice a season in the AFC West.

Gordon did not start his 2019 season until Week 5 after a tense contract holdout failed to land him the lucrative long-term extension he was seeking. His position wasn't helped by Austin Ekeler's fine displays in his absence.

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If he had his time again, Gordon would not hold out, but his focus now is on proving people wrong and bouncing back from a season in which he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry.

"Oh, it's huge," Gordon said of the chip on his shoulder in a conference call with reporters. "I just feel like a lot of people just doubt my talent as a back. During the holdout, a lot of people were saying, 'Oh, he's an average back, he's not this, he's not that.'

"Just this year, people are like, 'Well, he's not the back that he was’. No one takes into account that I didn't have my center, or I didn't have my left tackle. We had guys that were hurt and just in and out. I didn't have really my starting linemen, my best linemen. No one cares about that, and nor should they, but some players they give that excuse for.

"Some players they give them an excuse — 'Well, they didn't have their line, but he's still a great player.' Then you have some players that are in my position where they don't care if you have a good line, or if your line is hurt or not. You're not what you are. You're an average player.

"I'm going to take that and I'm going to use it as fuel, because I know what type of player I am. I want to show that and I am going to show that. I'm going to show everybody that I'm better than just average."

Asked if he would hold out again, Gordon said: "I probably would come back."

"Just because my legacy of what I'm trying to do as a player and the mark that I'm trying to leave," he added. "Obviously, those are games I can't get back.

"I started out slow and being able to catch my stride toward the end of the season, but then it's too late.

"It was tough [after coming back], I definitely felt like I ruined some relationships. At times it definitely was difficult.

"I kind of felt some tension walking around, but I just tried my best to keep a smile on my face and just show up for work every day. Obviously, I can't take back what I did, it was done. And now I'm here."

Chris Myson