Trump Pardons 5 Former NFL Players for Crimes

Pardons include players convicted of perjury, drug trafficking, and counterfeiting

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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

Why it matters

The pardons highlight Trump's willingness to grant clemency to high-profile individuals, even those convicted of serious crimes. As an avid sports fan, Trump may have seen the pardons as a way to generate goodwill with the NFL community. However, the move also raises questions about the fairness of the justice system and whether certain individuals receive preferential treatment.

The details

Klecko, a former New York Jets star, pleaded guilty to perjury after lying to a federal grand jury investigating insurance fraud. Newton, a Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman, pleaded guilty to a federal drug trafficking charge. Lewis, a former Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns running back, pleaded guilty in a drug case. Henry, who played for the Denver Broncos, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine. Cannon, a Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs player, admitted to counterfeiting in the 1980s.

  • The pardons were announced on Thursday, February 13, 2026.

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 former 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 pickup truck and 175 pounds of marijuana in an accompanying car.

Jamal Lewis

A former running back for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns who 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 pick in the 2000 NFL draft.

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 former player for the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs who won the 1959 Heisman Trophy while at Louisiana State University. He admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s after a series of bad investments and debts left him broke.

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What’s next

The White House did not provide a specific reason for why Trump pardoned the former NFL players, but the move is likely to generate further discussion about the fairness of the justice system and whether certain individuals receive preferential treatment.

The takeaway

These pardons highlight Trump's willingness to grant clemency to high-profile individuals, even those convicted of serious crimes. While the pardons may generate goodwill with the NFL community, they also raise questions about the impartiality of the justice system and whether some receive special treatment.