Presidential Pardons Granted to Several Former NFL Players
On Thursday, several former NFL players were granted presidential pardons, as announced by Alice Marie Johnson, the White House “pardon czar.” The pardons were given by President Trump and include notable names from the football world.
List of Former NFL Players Granted Pardons
- Joe Klecko
- Nate Newton
- Jamal Lewis
- Travis Henry
- Billy Cannon (deceased)
Joe Klecko
Joe Klecko, a Hall of Famer, had an impressive career spanning 12 seasons in the NFL. He played 11 years for the New York Jets and one year with the Indianapolis Colts. In 1993, Klecko was convicted of perjury related to a federal grand jury investigation into insurance fraud.
Nate Newton
Nate Newton enjoyed a successful 14-year career, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys, where he earned three Super Bowl titles. He faced legal challenges in 2002 when he pleaded guilty to a federal drug trafficking charge after police discovered significant quantities of marijuana in his vehicle.
Jamal Lewis
Jamal Lewis was a standout player in the NFL, notable for his six years with the Baltimore Ravens and three years with the Cleveland Browns. He was recognized as the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2003 for rushing over 2,000 yards. However, Lewis’s career was marred by legal issues, including a guilty plea for attempting to arrange a drug deal shortly after entering the league.
Travis Henry
Travis Henry had a seven-year career in the NFL, playing for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Denver Broncos. In 2009, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine, which significantly impacted his career trajectory.
Billy Cannon
Billy Cannon, a Heisman Trophy winner in 1959, had a distinguished career in the AFL and NFL. He passed away in 2018. In the 1980s, Cannon was convicted of counterfeiting.
Context of the Pardons
Alice Marie Johnson emphasized the values of perseverance and resilience in football while announcing the pardons on social media. There was no official explanation provided regarding the reasoning behind granting these pardons.
