(Washington) — Feb. 13, 2026 — President Donald Trump has granted pardons to five former NFL players, the White House announced Tuesday. Alice Marie Johnson, the president’s “pardon czar,” revealed the pardons for Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and Billy Cannon, who died in 2018.
The pardons offer a second chance to former NFL players who faced legal consequences for a range of offenses, from fraud to drug-related crimes.
- President Trump pardoned five former NFL players on Feb. 12.
- The pardons were announced by White House “pardon czar” Alice Marie Johnson.
- The former players had convictions related to fraud, drug offenses, and other crimes.
- A presidential pardon offers forgiveness for a federal crime and can restore certain legal rights.
The president pardoned Joe Klecko, 72, a former New York Jets defensive lineman who was sentenced to three months in jail in 1993 for lying to a federal grand jury about an auto-insurance fraud scam. Nate Newton, 64, a former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman, received a pardon after serving 30 months in prison following a 2002 arrest for possession of 175 pounds of marijuana near Dallas.
Jamal Lewis, 46, who starred with the Baltimore Ravens and later played for the Cleveland Browns, was also pardoned. Lewis pleaded guilty in 2004 to attempting to facilitate a drug deal using a cell phone and was sentenced to four months in prison. Travis Henry, 47, a former running back for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Denver Broncos, received a pardon related to his 2009 conviction for financing an interstate drug ring, which resulted in a three-year prison sentence.
The fifth pardon was granted posthumously to Billy Cannon, a former halfback for the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs, who was sentenced to five years in prison in 1983 for his involvement in a counterfeit-money-printing operation. Cannon died in 2018 at the age of 80.
A presidential pardon grants leniency for a federal crime, and often signifies that the convicted person has accepted responsibility for their actions, according to the Department of Justice. The forgiveness can also restore rights such as voting and holding office, which are typically lost due to a criminal conviction.
Why It Matters
This round of pardons continues a trend established during Trump’s presidency of utilizing executive clemency, often focusing on individuals who have expressed remorse and demonstrated a commitment to rehabilitation. The pardons, announced by Johnson, highlight the administration’s stated commitment to “second chances,” a theme she emphasized in a post on X, stating, “As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation. Grateful to @POTUS for his continued commitment to second chances. Mercy changes lives.” The focus on former athletes also draws attention to the challenges faced by professional athletes navigating legal issues and the potential for redemption after serving their time.
Contributing: Reuters
