Trump pardons five former NFL players who had been convicted of a wide range of crimes
On Thursday, February 13, 2026, President Donald Trump granted pardons to five former NFL players, effectively wiping their criminal records clean for offenses ranging from drug trafficking to perjury. The announcement was made by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson, marking a significant moment for the NFL community and the players involved.
The five players who received clemency are:
- Joe Klecko, former defensive lineman for the New York Jets, who was convicted of perjury during a federal investigation into insurance fraud. Klecko, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023, had served three months in prison for lying to a grand jury.
- Nate Newton, a Pro Bowl offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, who was convicted of drug trafficking charges after being caught with 175 pounds of marijuana in a 2001 arrest. Newton, who served 30 months in prison, was personally informed of his pardon by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
- Jamal Lewis, a Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens and former running back for the Cleveland Browns, who was convicted for attempting to set up a drug deal in 2004, shortly after being drafted into the NFL.
- Travis Henry, a one-time Pro Bowl running back who played for several teams, including the Denver Broncos, and was convicted of drug trafficking and conspiracy in 2009. Henry financed a drug ring moving cocaine between Colorado and Montana, leading to a three-year prison sentence.
- Billy Cannon, a two-time Pro Bowl player and Heisman Trophy winner from Louisiana State University, who passed away in 2018. Cannon was convicted of counterfeiting in the 1980s, after a series of bad investments left him financially distressed. His posthumous pardon was granted in recognition of his contributions to college and professional football.
In a statement shared on social media, Johnson expressed her gratitude for Trump’s commitment to second chances, writing, “As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation.”
The Hill noted that Johnson herself was issued clemency by Trump after she was sentenced to life for a nonviolent drug offense. Trump commuted her sentence during his first term. Earlier this month, he named her as the White House Pardon Czar.
While some NFL figures have expressed support for the pardons, including Jerry Jones and the families of the players involved, others have criticized the move, questioning the message it sends about accountability. During his first presidential term, Trump issued 238 pardons – much less then Obama with 1,927 pardons and Biden with 4,245. Now in his second White House term, Trump has granted several controversial pardons – including 1,500 from those tied to the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.
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(Sources: The Big Lead/MSN, The Associated Press, The Hill)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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