Trump Pardons 5 Former NFL Players for Crimes from Perjury to Drug Trafficking/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump pardoned five former NFL players, including one posthumously, for crimes ranging from drug trafficking to perjury. The clemency announcement was made by White House pardon official Alice Marie Johnson. The White House has not provided specific reasons behind the pardons.
Trump Pardons Former NFL Players Quick Looks
- President Donald Trump granted pardons to five former NFL players.
- The announcement was made by White House pardon official Alice Marie Johnson.
- Players pardoned: Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and Billy Cannon (posthumous).
- Crimes ranged from perjury and drug trafficking to counterfeiting.
- Jerry Jones personally informed Nate Newton of his pardon.
- The White House did not provide detailed justification.
Deep Look: Trump Pardons 5 Former NFL Players for Crimes from Perjury to Drug Trafficking
President Donald Trump has issued pardons to five former National Football League players, including one posthumous clemency, in a move that underscores his continued use of executive authority to grant second chances. The pardons cover a range of criminal convictions, including perjury, drug trafficking, conspiracy, and counterfeiting.
The clemency decision was announced Thursday by Alice Marie Johnson, who serves as the White House’s pardon official. Johnson, who herself received clemency during Trump’s first term, shared the news publicly on social media, emphasizing themes of redemption and resilience.
“As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation,” Johnson wrote, thanking Trump for what she described as his ongoing commitment to second chances.
The players granted pardons include Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and the late Billy Cannon.
Joe Klecko: Perjury Conviction
Joe Klecko, a defensive lineman best known for his time with the New York Jets, pleaded guilty to perjury after providing false testimony before a federal grand jury investigating insurance fraud. Klecko, a dominant force during his NFL career, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. He was a two-time Associated Press All-Pro selection and earned four Pro Bowl honors.
Despite his decorated football career, his legal troubles cast a shadow over his post-playing years. The pardon removes the lingering legal consequences tied to his perjury conviction.
Nate Newton: Drug Trafficking Case
Former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton was convicted on federal drug trafficking charges. Authorities found $10,000 in cash inside his pickup truck and 175 pounds of marijuana in a separate vehicle connected to the case.
Newton enjoyed a highly successful NFL career, winning three Super Bowls with the Cowboys. He was named an All-Pro twice and selected to six Pro Bowls. According to Johnson, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones personally informed Newton of his pardon.
Jamal Lewis: Drug-Related Conviction
Jamal Lewis, a former running back for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, pleaded guilty in a drug case shortly after being selected as a top draft pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Prosecutors said Lewis used a cellphone to attempt to facilitate a drug deal.
Lewis later built an impressive professional career. He was named the 2003 AP Offensive Player of the Year and earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition. The pardon clears his federal record related to that offense.
Travis Henry: Cocaine Trafficking Conspiracy
Travis Henry, who played running back for multiple teams including the Denver Broncos, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine. Authorities determined that Henry financed a drug ring that transported cocaine between Colorado and Montana.
Henry was a one-time Pro Bowl selection and played for three NFL franchises during his career. His conviction marked a dramatic fall from professional success to federal charges.
Billy Cannon: Posthumous Pardon
Billy Cannon, who died in 2018, received a posthumous pardon. Cannon, a two-time All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler, admitted in the mid-1980s to involvement in a counterfeiting scheme. The financial crime followed a period of failed investments and mounting debts.
Cannon is perhaps best remembered for his historic college football career at Louisiana State University. He won the 1959 Heisman Trophy and delivered one of the most iconic plays in college football history — an 89-yard punt return touchdown against Ole Miss.
His professional career included time with the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs.
White House Response
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for additional details about the reasoning behind the pardons. Trump, known for his interest in sports and high-profile clemency decisions, has previously issued pardons to athletes and public figures.
Presidential pardons are granted under Article II of the U.S. Constitution, giving the president broad authority to forgive federal offenses. The power has often been used to address criminal justice reform concerns or recognize rehabilitation and redemption.
This latest round of pardons continues Trump’s pattern of using clemency to spotlight themes of second chances and personal transformation — particularly among individuals with notable public profiles.
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