President Donald Trump Pardons 5 Former NFL Superstars, Including One Hall Of Famer
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
President Donald Trump has granted pardons to five former NFL players, including one Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Alice Marie Johnson, appointed as Donald Trump’s “pardon czar” last year, announced via X/Twitter that the president gave pardons to five former NFL stars: Joe Klecko, Jamal Lewis, Nate Newton, Dr. Billy Cannon and Travis Henry.
Johnson added that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones broke the news to Newton. The latter won three Super Bowls with America’s Team in the ’90s.
Today, the President granted pardons to five former NFL players—Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and the late great Dr. Billy Cannon.
As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation.
Special thanks… pic.twitter.com/Y4FC5lQwGE
— Alice Marie Johnson (@AliceMarieFree) February 13, 2026
The 79-year-old Trump has pardoned numerous high-profile celebrities during his time in the White House. In November, Trump pardoned former MLB superstar Darryl Strawberry on tax evasion charges.
Among other celebrities, Trump also pardoned rapper Lil Wayne and reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley.
About The Five Players That Donald Trump Pardoned
Per the Associated Press, Klecko was sentenced for perjury in an insurance fraud case. A four-time Pro Bowler with the New York Jets, the former star defensive tackle was sentenced to three months in prison in 1993.
In 2005, Jamal Lewis received a four-month prison sentence for using his cell phone to try to set up a cocaine deal. A U.S. federal judge sentenced Henry to two years in prison for financing a drug ring involving cocaine.
Lewis was key part of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens’ Super Bowl 34 championship-winning team. He won NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2003 and is part of the 10K rushing club.
Back in 2002, Newton was sentenced to 30 months in prison for drug trafficking. Cannon, who died at the age of 80, spent just under three years in prison for his involvement in a counterfeiting scheme. Authorities released him in 1986.
Cannon played for the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. He led Houston to AFL Championships in 1960 and 1961, then led the Raiders to another in 1967.
