Donald Trump pardons five former NFL players in sweep of clemency decisions

Trump's pardon applies to Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon

U.S. President Donald Trump has granted pardons to five former NFL players, offering clemency for a range of past convictions that include perjury, drug trafficking and counterfeiting, in a move framed by the White House as a second-chance gesture rooted in redemption.

The pardons, announced by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson, apply to former players Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon, with Cannon receiving the clemency posthumously. Johnson praised the move as a reflection of resilience and rehabilitation, saying it highlights how people can rise again after mistakes.

Among the most prominent names is Joe Klecko, a New York Jets legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, who had served time in the 1990s after pleading guilty to perjury in connection with an insurance fraud case. Nate Newton, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys, had been sentenced to prison for drug trafficking in the early 2000s.

Former Baltimore Ravens running back Jamal Lewis, who once won AP Offensive Player of the Year, had served a four-month sentence for his involvement in a drug-related phone transaction. Travis Henry, who played for multiple NFL teams, had been convicted in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy case, while Billy Cannon, a Heisman Trophy winner and former AFL star, served prison time in the 1980s after a counterfeiting scheme before later rebuilding his life.

The White House did not provide detailed reasoning for each individual pardon, though Johnson’s statement emphasised the broader theme of second chances and personal growth. The clemency action also underscores Trump’s continued willingness to use presidential pardon powers in high-profile or unconventional cases, including figures from the sports world.

The decision has already sparked discussion across the sports and political landscapes, with supporters pointing to rehabilitation and redemption, while critics question the criteria and motivations behind such high-profile clemency decisions.