Trump Pardons 5 Former NFL Players for Crimes

Pardons include perjury, drug trafficking, and counterfeiting convictions

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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President Donald Trump has pardoned five former NFL players - Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and the late Billy Cannon - for various crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking and counterfeiting. The pardons were announced by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson, who thanked Trump for his 'continued commitment to second chances'.

Why it matters

The pardons highlight Trump's willingness to grant clemency to high-profile athletes and celebrities, even for serious crimes like drug trafficking and counterfeiting. It raises questions about the fairness of the criminal justice system and whether certain individuals receive preferential treatment.

The details

The former players pardoned include: Joe Klecko, a former New York Jets star who pleaded guilty to perjury; Nate Newton, a two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler with the Dallas Cowboys who pleaded guilty to a federal drug trafficking charge; Jamal Lewis, a former Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns running back who pleaded guilty in a drug case; Travis Henry, a former Denver Broncos running back who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine; and Billy Cannon, a Heisman Trophy winner who played for the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs, and admitted to counterfeiting in the 1980s.

  • The pardons were announced on February 13, 2026 by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson.

The players

Joe Klecko

A former star defensive lineman for the New York Jets who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. He pleaded guilty to perjury after lying to a federal grand jury investigating insurance fraud.

Nate Newton

A two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman who won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys. He pleaded guilty to a federal drug trafficking charge after authorities found $10,000 in his truck and 175 pounds of marijuana in an accompanying car.

Jamal Lewis

A former running back for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns who was named the 2003 AP Offensive Player of the Year. He pleaded guilty in a drug case in which he used a cellphone to try to set up a drug deal shortly after being a top draft pick.

Travis Henry

A former running back for the Denver Broncos who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine for financing a drug ring that moved the drug between Colorado and Montana.

Billy Cannon

A Heisman Trophy winner who played for the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs. He admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s after a series of bad investments and debts left him broke.

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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)

“Jerry Jones 'personally' shared the news with Newton, who won three Super Bowls with the team.”

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

The takeaway

The pardons of these former NFL players, some of whom were convicted of serious crimes like drug trafficking and counterfeiting, highlight the preferential treatment that high-profile athletes and celebrities can receive in the criminal justice system. It raises questions about fairness and whether certain individuals are held to different standards than the general public.