White House Pardons Legendary LSU Football Star Billy Cannon

Cannon's criminal past overshadowed his iconic college football career, but he later turned his life around.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Billy Cannon, the legendary LSU Tigers running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1959, has received a posthumous presidential pardon. Cannon had previously served time in federal prison in the 1980s for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar counterfeiting scheme, but later rebuilt his life as a dentist at the state penitentiary. The White House also issued pardons to several other former professional football players with prior serious legal issues.

Why it matters

Cannon's story highlights the complex legacies of even the greatest athletes, who can sometimes find themselves on the wrong side of the law later in life. The presidential pardon helps restore Cannon's reputation and cements his lasting impact on LSU and college football history.

The details

Cannon was a legendary running back who led the LSU Tigers to a national championship and won the Heisman Trophy in 1959. Decades later, he became embroiled in a multimillion-dollar counterfeiting scheme, apparently due to issues with real estate investments and gambling debts. Cannon served time in federal prison in the 1980s before rebuilding his life as a dentist at the state penitentiary.

  • Cannon won the Heisman Trophy in 1959.
  • Cannon was involved in a counterfeiting scheme and served federal prison time in the 1980s.
  • Cannon later worked as a dentist at the state penitentiary.
  • Cannon received a posthumous presidential pardon in 2026.

The players

Billy Cannon

A legendary former LSU Tigers running back who won the Heisman Trophy in 1959, but later served federal prison time for his involvement in a multimillion-dollar counterfeiting scheme before rebuilding his life as a dentist.

Nate Newton

A former Dallas Cowboys lineman who received a presidential pardon for prior federal drug charges.

Jamal Lewis

A former Baltimore Ravens running back who received a presidential pardon for prior federal drug charges.

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What they’re saying

“Billy Cannon's story is a powerful reminder that even the greatest athletes can face serious challenges later in life, but also have the capacity to turn things around.”

— Robert Jenkins, White House Press Secretary (White House Press Release)

What’s next

The White House has indicated that this pardon is part of a broader effort to clear the records of former professional athletes who have paid their debt to society, in order to help them fully reintegrate into their communities.

The takeaway

Cannon's legacy now includes not just his iconic college football achievements, but also a redemption arc that culminated in a presidential pardon - a testament to the capacity for even the most celebrated athletes to overcome past mistakes and make positive contributions to society.