According to an August 1987 Sports Illustrated article, Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka wanted to draft Gordon in the first round (No. 26 overall) in the 1987 NFL draft. However, Ditka was overruled by the Bears' front office, which instead selected Michigan quarterback Jim Harbaugh. The Jets selected Gordon in the second round with the 42nd overall pick that year.[1]
In 1995, Gordon began playing in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the U.S. expansion Memphis Mad Dogs. In that one season, he led the team with 61 tackles and 7 sacks.
In 1996, after the Mad Dogs folded, he was selected by the Toronto Argonauts during the dispersal draft. He went on to win the 84th Grey Cup with the Argonauts that season.