Trump Grants Clemency to Former NFL Stars

Pardons clear criminal records of ex-players with drug, fraud, and other convictions

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Former President Donald Trump has granted clemency to several ex-NFL players who were previously convicted of drug crimes, fraud, and other offenses. The pardons wipe away the criminal records of players like Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, Nate Newton, Joe Klecko, and Billy Cannon, allowing them to move forward with their lives after serving their time.

Why it matters

The pardons represent a high-profile attempt by Trump to champion second chances for athletes who fell into legal trouble, framing it as an opportunity for redemption. The move is seen as an effort to appeal to sports fans and highlight Trump's willingness to use presidential powers to clear the records of prominent figures.

The details

The players receiving pardons include former 2,000-yard rusher Jamal Lewis, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking; ex-Pro Bowler Travis Henry, who served prison time for financing a cocaine operation; three-time Super Bowl champ Nate Newton of the Cowboys, who was caught in a major marijuana trafficking case; Jets legend Joe Klecko, clearing an old financial misconduct conviction; and posthumous pardon for Heisman winner Billy Cannon, who was convicted in a counterfeiting scheme.

  • On February 13, 2026, former President Trump granted clemency to the group of ex-NFL players.

The players

Jamal Lewis

A former 2,000-yard rusher and NFL Offensive Player of the Year who pleaded guilty to a drug trafficking conspiracy in the 2000s.

Travis Henry

A former Pro Bowl running back for the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos who served prison time after being convicted of financing a cocaine distribution operation.

Nate Newton

A three-time Super Bowl champion offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 1990s who served time after being caught in a major marijuana trafficking case.

Joe Klecko

A New York Jets legend and Hall of Fame defensive lineman who had a decades-old conviction tied to financial misconduct cleared.

Billy Cannon

A Heisman Trophy winner and Houston Oilers star who received a posthumous pardon for his role in a counterfeiting scheme that rocked the sports world.

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What they’re saying

“As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation.”

— Alice Marie Johnson, White House "pardon czar" (X)

The takeaway

The pardons highlight Trump's willingness to use his presidential powers to clear the records of prominent athletes, framing it as an opportunity for redemption. However, the move also raises questions about selective justice and whether high-profile figures receive special treatment compared to everyday citizens.