Trump Pardons 5 Former NFL Players, Including Hall of Famer

The pardons clear the players' criminal convictions ranging from perjury to drug offenses and counterfeiting.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

President Donald Trump has pardoned five former NFL players, including Hall of Famer Joe Klecko. The pardons clear the players' criminal convictions ranging from perjury to drug-related offenses and counterfeiting. The players who received the pardons are Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and the late Billy Cannon.

Why it matters

The pardons highlight Trump's continued commitment to providing second chances, particularly for high-profile figures. The cases of these former NFL players reflect broader issues around criminal justice reform and the challenges faced by professional athletes after their playing careers end.

The details

Klecko, a celebrated defensive lineman with the New York Jets, was convicted of perjury in 1993 for lying to a grand jury about an auto insurance fraud scheme. Newton, who helped anchor the Dallas Cowboys' offensive line, was arrested multiple times on drug charges in the 1990s. Lewis, who won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, pleaded guilty in 2005 to using a cellphone to facilitate a drug transaction. Henry was sentenced in 2009 to three years in prison for drug trafficking. Cannon, a Heisman Trophy winner and AFL/NFL player, pleaded guilty in 1983 for his role in a counterfeiting operation.

  • President Trump announced the pardons on February 12, 2026.

The players

Joe Klecko

A celebrated defensive lineman best known for his years with the New York Jets, Klecko made four Pro Bowls, earned two All-Pro selections, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. He was convicted of perjury in 1993 for lying to a grand jury about an auto insurance fraud scheme.

Nate Newton

Newton helped anchor the offensive line for the Dallas Cowboys during a run that produced three Super Bowl titles. He was arrested multiple times in the 1990s on drug-related charges, including possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Jamal Lewis

Lewis played nine seasons in the NFL and won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2000. In 2003, he rushed for 2,066 yards, one of the highest single-season totals in league history. In 2005, he pleaded guilty to using a cellphone to facilitate a drug transaction.

Travis Henry

Henry played for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Denver Broncos. In 2009, he was sentenced to three years in federal prison on drug trafficking charges after authorities said he helped finance a drug ring that shipped cocaine between Colorado and Montana.

Billy Cannon

Cannon won the 1959 Heisman Trophy at Louisiana State University and was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He went on to play in the AFL and NFL and earned two All-Pro selections during an 11-year professional career. In 1983, he pleaded guilty for his role in a counterfeiting operation involving millions of dollars in fake currency and served three years in federal prison.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

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)

“Grateful to [President Trump] for his continued commitment to second chances. Mercy changes lives.”

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

What’s next

The White House has not indicated any specific next steps related to these pardons.

The takeaway

These pardons highlight the complex intersection of sports, criminal justice, and the power of the presidency to grant second chances. They raise broader questions about rehabilitation, accountability, and the challenges faced by professional athletes after their playing careers end.