Tyrann Mathieu: Josh Gordon 'has to want it for himself'

Tyrann Mathieu doesn't know know how to help Josh Gordon, but he does know what the troubled wide receiver is going through.

Mathieu was kicked off the LSU football team due to a "violation of team rules" related to repeated failed drug tests prior to the 2012 college football season. Mathieu took a year off and went to a drug rehabilitation program. He declared himself eligible for the 2013 draft and was selected in the third round by the Arizona Cardinals.

Gordon is reportedly facing a one-year suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Gordon is appealing that decision, but he was arrested in North Carolina last weekend for a DWI.

On Tuesday in an interview with NFL Media's Amber Theoharis and Shaun O'Hara, Mathieu was asked what he'd say to Gordon.

"Well, me having been through it, and having a little bit of experience with that, I don't think anybody in the world can possibly tell him anything," Mathieu said Tuesday on NFL Total Access. "No one could tell me anything when I was going through it. I had to figure that out for myself."

"Hopefully, he will get the message. But, most of the time it takes people to hit rock bottom for them to start believing in themselves, and start seeking help. A lot of people could reach out to you, but that doesn't mean you always take that help, take that advice. He just has to want it for himself. ... I'm still young myself, I don't know too much about it. I do know that it takes a lot to look in that mirror and fix yourself."

- Sarah Barshop