WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has cleared the records of five former NFL standouts, granting full pardons on Thursday to a group that includes a recently enshrined Hall of Famer, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and a 2,000-yard rusher. The move wipes the slate clean for players whose post-career lives were marred by federal convictions ranging from perjury to drug trafficking.
The Pardon List: Gridiron Greats Get Second Chance
White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson broke the news, confirming the clemency for Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and the late Billy Cannon. Johnson, a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, framed the decision as a recognition of redemption.
“As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation,” Johnson posted on X.
The list reads like a Pro Bowl roster from two different eras:
- Joe Klecko (Jets): The leader of the “New York Sack Exchange” and a 2023 Hall of Fame inductee. He admitted to perjury during an insurance fraud probe.
- Nate Newton (Cowboys): The legendary offensive lineman who protected Troy Aikman for three Super Bowl titles. He was caught with 175 pounds of marijuana in 2001.
- Jamal Lewis (Ravens/Browns): The 2003 Offensive Player of the Year who rushed for a staggering 2,066 yards in a single season. He served time for facilitating a cocaine deal.
- Travis Henry (Broncos/Bills): A former Pro Bowl running back convicted of financing a cocaine trafficking ring between Colorado and Montana.
- Billy Cannon (Oilers/Raiders): The 1959 Heisman Trophy winner who passed away in 2018. He served time in the 80s for a counterfeiting scheme.
“He said, ‘You’ve been pardoned from the President.’ I just sat there for about 30 seconds to a minute. I was stunned. But I told him, ‘You tell the President, thank you very much.'”
— Nate Newton, recounting the call he received from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones
Analysis: Why Now?
This isn’t just a random list of names. Trump, a known sports enthusiast with deep ties to the USFL and NFL, has often used his pardon power to highlight stories of rehabilitation. Klecko, specifically, has been a public favorite for years, finally earning his Gold Jacket in Canton just three years ago. His pardon closes the final chapter on a legal issue that had long shadowed his otherwise pristine reputation.
For the families of players like Billy Cannon, this posthumous pardon rewrites the obituary. Cannon remains a deity in Louisiana for his famous “Halloween Run” against Ole Miss, but his federal conviction was a heavy footnote. Thursday’s action officially removes it.
What This Means for Their Legacy
While Hall of Fame voters are instructed to judge only what happens between the lines, legal troubles often cloud public perception. For Klecko, this validation cements his standing among the elites. For Lewis and Henry, who faced serious drug trafficking charges, it offers a path to fully reintegrate into the NFL brotherhood, potentially opening doors for alumni roles or coaching gigs that were previously shut tight.
