Trump’s Shocking Pardons for NFL Icons

President Trump wiped clean the criminal records of five NFL legends, from a Heisman winner to Super Bowl champions, sparking debate on mercy for gridiron greats who stumbled hard.

Story Snapshot

Trump pardoned Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and posthumously Billy Cannon on February 12, 2026.
Crimes ranged from perjury and counterfeiting to major drug trafficking operations.
Alice Marie Johnson announced the pardons, tying them to football’s themes of grit and redemption.
Jerry Jones personally notified Nate Newton, highlighting NFL owner involvement.
Pardons clear legal hurdles, reinforcing second-chance narratives in conservative redemption stories.

Pardons Issued February 12, 2026

President Donald Trump granted clemency to five former NFL players on February 12, 2026. Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry received pardons. The White House extended a posthumous pardon to Billy Cannon, who died in 2018. Alice Marie Johnson, Trump’s pardon advisor, made the announcement. She linked the acts to football’s demand for resilience after falls. These players built legendary careers before legal troubles struck.

Players’ Stellar NFL Achievements

Joe Klecko anchored the New York Jets defense with four Pro Bowl nods and Hall of Fame induction in 2023. Nate Newton started three Super Bowls for the Dallas Cowboys and earned six Pro Bowl selections. Jamal Lewis claimed 2003 Offensive Player of the Year rushing for the Ravens. Travis Henry bowled over defenses for multiple teams as a Pro Bowler. Billy Cannon secured the 1959 Heisman Trophy with his iconic punt return for LSU and the Oilers.

Crimes Spanning Decades of Hard Falls

Billy Cannon counterfeited money in the mid-1980s after financial collapse buried him in debt. Jamal Lewis attempted a drug deal in 2000 right after the NFL draft. Nate Newton faced a 2001 marijuana trafficking charge after authorities found 175 pounds nearby and $10,000 cash. Travis Henry pleaded guilty to a cocaine conspiracy shuttling from Colorado to Montana in the early 2000s. Joe Klecko admitted perjury before 2023 in an insurance fraud investigation.

President Donald Trump on Thursday pardoned five former professional football players — one posthumously — for various crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking. https://t.co/hAeJXgFSTQ

— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) February 13, 2026

Redemption Narrative Takes Center Stage

Alice Marie Johnson declared on X that football builds excellence through grit, grace, and rising again, mirroring America’s spirit. She thanked Trump for embodying second chances. Jerry Jones called Nate Newton personally to deliver the news, showing NFL bonds at work. The White House offered no comment on Trump’s motivations, though his NFL fandom runs deep. These pardons fit constitutional powers under Article II, Section 2, granting broad executive mercy.

Impacts Echo in Sports and Justice

Living players gain cleared records easing travel and jobs. Cannon’s family receives posthumous honor closing a painful chapter. NFL fans from Jets to Cowboys celebrate their heroes’ fresh starts. The moves bolster ex-athlete rehab efforts and Trump’s pattern of clemency for drug and fraud cases since 2025. Common sense aligns with conservative values of personal responsibility followed by forgiveness when debts are paid. Critics questioning favoritism lack backing in these facts, as precedents span presidents.