Trump Pardons Legendary LSU Football Star Billy Cannon

Cannon, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1959, was convicted of counterfeiting in the 1980s.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a posthumous pardon to former LSU football star Billy Cannon, who served time in federal prison in the 1980s for counterfeiting. Cannon's pardon was announced alongside those of several other former NFL players. Cannon is one of the most famous football players in LSU history and is immortalized with a bronze statue outside of Tiger Stadium.

Why it matters

Cannon's pardon is seen as a recognition of his overall legacy and contributions to LSU football, despite the mistakes he made later in life. The pardon also highlights the broader issue of criminal justice reform and the ability for individuals to redeem themselves after serving their time.

The details

Cannon served two and a half years out of a five-year sentence for printing $6 million in fake $100 bills. After being released from prison, he became the dentist at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, rebuilding its dental care facility and eventually being put in charge of the entire medical system at the prison.

  • Cannon was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1959, the first for an LSU player.
  • Cannon was convicted of counterfeiting in 1983 and served a federal prison sentence.
  • Cannon died on May 20, 2018, the same day that then-LSU football coach Ed Orgeron recruited Joe Burrow to play for the Tigers.
  • The following year, Burrow became the first LSU football player since Cannon to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy.

The players

Billy Cannon

A former LSU football star who won the Heisman Trophy in 1959 and is immortalized with a bronze statue outside of Tiger Stadium.

Donald Trump

The U.S. President who issued a posthumous pardon to Billy Cannon.

Alice Marie Johnson

The first-ever White House pardon czar who shared the news of Cannon's pardon on social media.

Joe Burrow

The LSU football player who became the first since Cannon to win the Heisman Trophy in 2019.

Ed Orgeron

The LSU football coach who recruited Joe Burrow on the same day that Cannon died in 2018.

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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 (Social Media)

“During his lifetime no matter how much good my father did he could not outrun his failures. One mistake does not and should not define you! Thank you Alice Johnson, our elected officials in Washington and President Trump for this gift to our family.”

— Bunnie Cannon, Billy Cannon's Daughter (Facebook)

What’s next

The pardon is seen as a recognition of Cannon's overall legacy and contributions to LSU football, despite the mistakes he made later in life. It also highlights the broader issue of criminal justice reform and the ability for individuals to redeem themselves after serving their time.

The takeaway

Cannon's pardon is a testament to the power of redemption and the ability for individuals to overcome their mistakes, especially when they have made significant contributions to their community. It serves as an example of how the criminal justice system can work to provide second chances and recognize the full scope of a person's life.