President Pardons Multiple Former NFL Players

On Thursday, several former NFL players received presidential pardons, bringing renewed attention to their past convictions. The announcement was made by Alice Marie Johnson, the White House “pardon czar.” These pardoned athletes include notable names such as Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and Billy Cannon.

Details of the Pardoned Players

• Joe Klecko

  A Hall of Famer, Klecko played 11 seasons with the New York Jets and one with the Indianapolis Colts. He was convicted of perjury in 1993 for providing false testimony to a federal grand jury regarding an insurance fraud case.

• Nate Newton

  Newton had a successful 14-year career, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys, where he won three Super Bowl titles. The six-time Pro Bowler pleaded guilty to drug trafficking in 2002 after police discovered approximately 175 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle he was associated with.

• Jamal Lewis

  After spending nine years in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, Lewis gained fame as the 2003 AP Offensive Player of the Year. He was a first-round draft pick and ultimately pleaded guilty for setting up a drug deal shortly after joining the league.

• Travis Henry

  Henry spent seven seasons in the NFL with teams like the Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans. He received a guilty plea in 2009 for conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

• Billy Cannon

  Cannon, who passed away in 2018, was awarded the Heisman Trophy in 1959. His professional career spanned a decade in the AFL and one year in the NFL, during which he pleaded guilty to counterfeiting in the 1980s.

Significance of the Pardons

Alice Marie Johnson emphasized the connection between sports and national resilience, stating, “As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again.” This remark underscores the broader implications of the pardons for rehabilitation and redemption.

Despite the high-profile nature of these athletes, the White House did not provide specific reasoning behind the pardons. The recognition of these former athletes serves as a reflection on their journey, both on and off the field.