REPORT: Trump pardons 5 former NFL stars for wide-ranging crimes

February 13, 2026

From Fox News: President Donald Trump pardoned five former NFL players on Thursday night.

White House pardon czar Alice Mary Johnson announced the pardons in a post on social media. Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon were granted clemency.

The report details the crimes the players had been charged with:

Klecko, a former New York Jets star and Pro Football Hall of Famer, pleaded guilty to perjury when he lied to a federal grand jury that was investigating insurance fraud.
Newton, who was a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro selection, pleaded guilty to a federal drug-trafficking charge.
Lewis, who won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, pleaded guilty in a drug case in which he used a cellphone to try to set up a drug deal.
Henry, who was a Pro Bowl running back that played for three teams in his seven-year NFL career, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine.
Cannon, a star with the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders, admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s. He passed away in 2018.

Johnson’s announcement reads:

Today, the President granted pardons to five former NFL players—Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and the late Dr. Billy Cannon.

Football reminds us that excellence is forged through grit, grace, and the courage to rise again after setbacks. That lesson belongs to our nation as well. We believe people can learn from their mistakes, grow, and move forward with purpose.
Special thanks to Jerry Jones for personally sharing the news with Nate Newton. I am holding Nate’s pardon in my hands today—what a blessed day. Each of these five men received the same mercy.

I am deeply grateful to @POTUS and the White House Counsel team for their leadership in extending second chances. My prayer is that these pardons bring restoration to families and open doors to renewed opportunity. Mercy changes lives—and strengthens our country. 🙏🏽