Trump Pardons Five Former NFL Players

The former football stars were convicted of crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking and counterfeiting.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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President Donald Trump has granted pardons to five former professional football players who were previously convicted on a range of crimes, including perjury, drug trafficking, and counterfeiting U.S. currency. The players pardoned are Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and the late Billy Cannon.

Why it matters

The pardons highlight Trump's continued use of executive clemency powers, particularly for high-profile individuals with sports or political connections. While the specific reasons for the pardons were not provided, the move raises questions about the fairness of the criminal justice system and whether certain individuals receive preferential treatment.

The details

The five players pardoned by Trump were convicted of various federal crimes over the past few decades. Joe Klecko, a former New York Jets defensive lineman, was sentenced to three months in prison in 1993 for his role in an insurance fraud scheme. Nate Newton, an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, was sentenced to 30 months in prison in 2002 for marijuana trafficking. Jamal Lewis, a running back who played for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, was sentenced to four months in prison in 2005 for using a cellphone to facilitate a drug deal. Travis Henry, another running back who played for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Denver Broncos, was sentenced to three years in prison in 2009 for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Billy Cannon, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner who played in the AFL and NFL, was sentenced to five years in prison in 1983 for counterfeiting U.S. currency, though he only served three years.

  • In April 1993, Joe Klecko was sentenced to three months in prison.
  • In August 2002, Nate Newton was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
  • In January 2005, Jamal Lewis was sentenced to four months in prison.
  • In 2009, Travis Henry was sentenced to three years in prison.
  • In 1983, Billy Cannon was sentenced to five years in prison, though he only served three years.

The players

Joe Klecko

A former New York Jets All-Pro defensive lineman who was sentenced to three months in prison in 1993 for his role in an insurance fraud scheme.

Nate Newton

An offensive lineman who played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1986 to 1998 and the Carolina Panthers in 1999. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison in 2002 for marijuana trafficking.

Jamal Lewis

A running back who played for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. He was sentenced to four months in prison in 2005 for using a cellphone to facilitate a drug deal.

Travis Henry

A running back who played for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Denver Broncos. He was sentenced to three years in prison in 2009 for conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Billy Cannon

The 1959 Heisman Trophy winner who played in the AFL and NFL. He was sentenced to five years in prison in 1983 for counterfeiting U.S. currency, though he only served three years.

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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, Trump's "pardon czar" (X)

The takeaway

The pardons granted by President Trump to these former NFL players raise questions about the fairness of the criminal justice system and whether high-profile individuals with sports or political connections receive preferential treatment. The move highlights Trump's continued use of executive clemency powers, particularly for those with personal or professional ties to the former president.