President Donald Trump has pardoned five former National Football League players, including one posthumously, wiping away federal convictions that ranged from perjury to drug trafficking as the White House highlighted the men’s lives after prison and framed the action as a new round of second chances.
The pardons, announced late last week by White House clemency aide Alice Marie Johnson, brought renewed attention to how Trump is using one of the broadest powers of the presidency. The players were Joe Klecko, a former New York Jets defensive lineman inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023; Nate Newton, a former Dallas Cowboys lineman; Jamal Lewis, a former running back for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns; Travis Henry, a former running back for several teams; and Billy Cannon, a former LSU star and pro player who died in 2018. The White House did not release a detailed set of case files with the announcement, and prosecutors have not been asked to re-litigate the convictions. A presidential pardon does not declare a person innocent, but it removes legal penalties tied to the federal offense and is often treated as a mark of forgiveness.
Johnson announced the pardons in a public statement that cast the clemency as an extension of the administration’s message about redemption. In her comments, she linked the decision to themes of perseverance and rebuilding after mistakes. The White House did not say whether the players applied through the traditional Justice Department review process or whether the requests were routed through the president’s advisers. Johnson, who became widely known after receiving clemency during Trump’s first term, has taken on a prominent role in identifying candidates and relaying recommendations to the president, according to officials who have described her position.
Klecko’s pardon addressed a conviction that dates to the early 1990s. Federal authorities prosecuted him for lying to a grand jury during an investigation connected to insurance fraud. He served a short jail sentence. Klecko went on to remain a well-known figure among Jets fans and was celebrated when he entered the Hall of Fame decades after his playing days. The Hall of Fame honor revived public attention on his career, and supporters have pointed to his years of community involvement and a long period without new criminal cases as reasons they believed a pardon was appropriate.
Newton’s clemency involved a drug trafficking case that landed him in prison in the early 2000s. Newton was part of the Cowboys teams that won Super Bowls in the 1990s, but he later faced federal charges after authorities stopped his vehicle and found a large quantity of marijuana. He served time in prison. In announcing the pardon, officials emphasized the time that has passed since his conviction and described him as having rebuilt his life. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones personally informed Newton of the pardon, according to accounts shared publicly after the White House announcement.
Lewis’ case stemmed from a 2004 conviction tied to an attempted drug deal. Lewis, who helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl after the 2000 season and later became one of the league’s most productive runners, served a short prison sentence. He returned to the public eye after his playing career through appearances and interviews, and he has remained a recognizable name in Baltimore sports. The pardon clears the federal conviction, though the details of how the request was presented to the White House were not laid out in the announcement.
Henry’s pardon covered a conviction connected to a cocaine trafficking operation. Henry played for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos, among others, and was sentenced to prison in 2009 after prosecutors said he helped fund a drug enterprise. He served time and later spoke publicly about his struggles and the damage caused by his choices. Supporters have described his post-prison years as a steady effort to work and remain involved with his children. The White House statement did not address the underlying evidence in his case, focusing instead on the broader theme of rehabilitation.
Cannon, the only recipient granted a posthumous pardon, was a star at LSU who won the Heisman Trophy and later played professional football during an era that helped shape the modern game. His federal conviction in the 1980s involved counterfeiting. He served a prison sentence and later returned to Louisiana, where his football legacy remained significant. Posthumous pardons are rare, but presidents have occasionally used them to address cases that supporters argue deserve a different final judgment. The White House did not provide additional reasoning beyond listing Cannon among those receiving clemency.
The five pardons fit a familiar pattern for Trump, who has long favored high-profile clemency cases, often involving public figures or people with strong advocates. In past years, Trump issued pardons and commutations that bypassed or sped past the Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney, a traditional gatekeeper that collects records, weighs objections from prosecutors and offers recommendations. The White House has described its approach as more direct and less bureaucratic, while critics have argued that skipping standard review can reduce transparency and invite favoritism. The administration has not said it will return to a single system, and the president retains full discretion regardless of the route a petition takes.
Presidential pardons are distinct from commutations. A commutation reduces or ends a sentence but leaves a conviction in place, while a pardon forgives the offense and can restore certain rights and remove legal disabilities tied to the conviction. Even with a pardon, other consequences can remain, including reputational damage, civil judgments, league discipline from past eras or the simple fact that case records exist. Still, the legal effect can be significant for employment, licensing, housing, travel and other areas where a federal conviction can pose obstacles. For those pardoned, the action can also serve as a public sign that the president considers them redeemed.
The announcement also stirred debate about who receives presidential mercy and why. Advocates for criminal justice reform have argued that clemency can correct overly harsh sentences, address inequities and reward people who have changed their lives. At the same time, watchdog groups have said the power can be abused when decisions appear tied to connections, celebrity or political influence. The White House, in rolling out the NFL pardons, focused on the idea that time served and years of law-abiding behavior should matter, pointing to the players’ careers after prison and their efforts to rebuild.
In the sports world, the pardons touched a nerve because the men’s names carry weight in different fan bases and eras. Klecko’s Hall of Fame induction is still fresh in many minds. Lewis remains a central figure in Ravens history, and his single-season rushing total is still remembered by fans. Newton’s role in the Cowboys dynasty makes him a familiar face for a franchise with national reach. Henry’s career spanned several teams and included a Pro Bowl season, while Cannon’s story connects college football history, early pro football and a later fall from grace.
The White House did not indicate whether more sports figures are under review for clemency, but the announcement suggested the administration sees the pardons as part of a broader effort rather than a one-off gesture. Johnson has been a public face of that effort, using social media and public statements to promote clemency as a tool for redemption. Still, questions remain about what standards are being applied, how cases are vetted, and whether the Justice Department is consulted. Those details often matter to prosecutors, judges and victims, who can have a stake in how a conviction is addressed years later.
For now, the legal reality is clear: the five men have received full presidential pardons for their federal convictions, and any next steps will be administrative, such as processing paperwork and updating official records. The political debate over the choices is likely to continue, especially as Trump’s clemency decisions draw attention from both supporters who want more pardons and critics who want more transparency. The White House has not announced a new timetable for additional actions, but aides have signaled that more clemency decisions are expected in the months ahead.
Author note: Last updated February 18, 2026.