Trump Grants Clemency to Five Former NFL Stars for Various Criminal Convictions
In a significant move highlighting his focus on criminal justice reform, former US President Donald Trump on Thursday issued presidential pardons to five former professional football players, including one posthumously. The clemency actions covered individuals convicted of crimes ranging from perjury and drug trafficking to counterfeiting, as announced by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson.
White House Announces Pardons for Ex-NFL Players
The beneficiaries of Trump's executive clemency included former New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Nate Newton, Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis, Denver Broncos running back Travis Henry, and the late Billy Cannon, who played for multiple teams including the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders. Cannon's pardon was granted posthumously, as he passed away in 2018.
Alice Marie Johnson, who oversees pardon matters for the Trump administration, made the announcement via social media platform X. "As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation," Johnson wrote in her post. She expressed gratitude to Trump for his "continued commitment to second chances" in the American justice system.
Details of the Pardoned Players and Their Crimes
Each of the pardoned athletes had distinguished football careers marred by subsequent legal troubles:
- Joe Klecko: The former New York Jets star, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023, pleaded guilty to perjury after lying to a federal grand jury investigating insurance fraud. Klecko was a two-time Associated Press All-Pro selection and four-time Pro Bowler during his NFL career.
- Nate Newton: The three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking charges after authorities discovered $10,000 in his pickup truck and 175 pounds of marijuana in an accompanying vehicle. Newton was a two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler. Johnson revealed that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones "personally" shared the pardon news with Newton.
- Jamal Lewis: The former Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns running back pleaded guilty in a drug case where he used a cellphone to arrange a drug deal shortly after being a top pick in the 2000 NFL draft. Lewis was named the 2003 AP Offensive Player of the Year, earned one All-Pro selection, and made one Pro Bowl appearance.
- Travis Henry: The Denver Broncos running back pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine for financing a drug ring that moved narcotics between Colorado and Montana. Henry played for three NFL teams and was a one-time Pro Bowler.
- Billy Cannon: The late football star admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s after bad investments and debts left him financially devastated. Cannon was a two-time All-Pro player, two-time Pro Bowler, and won the prestigious 1959 Heisman Trophy while playing for Louisiana State University. He is remembered for one of college football's most memorable plays: an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown against Ole Miss.
Context and Reaction to the Presidential Pardons
The White House did not respond to requests for comment Thursday night regarding Trump's specific motivations for pardoning these particular athletes. As an avid sports fan who frequently engages with professional athletes and team owners, Trump's decision aligns with his broader pattern of granting clemency to individuals with high-profile backgrounds.
These pardons represent another chapter in Trump's ongoing criminal justice reform initiatives, which have included previous clemency actions for other notable figures. The timing and selection of these particular former NFL players underscore the intersection of sports, celebrity, and presidential pardon power in American politics.
While the pardons forgive the federal crimes for which these athletes were convicted, they do not expunge state-level charges or convictions. The clemency actions restore certain civil rights and remove the stigma of federal conviction for these former professional athletes, allowing them to move forward with their post-football lives without the burden of their past legal troubles.
