Trump pardons five former NFL players convicted of crimes including drug trafficking
President Trump granted clemency to five ex-NFL players convicted of offenses ranging from perjury to drug trafficking, with one pardon issued posthumously.
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President Donald Trump on Thursday pardoned five former professional football players for various crimes, including drug trafficking and perjury, the White House announced.
The clemency was granted to Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, and the late Billy Cannon. All five had completed their sentences prior to receiving the pardons, which officially erase their federal convictions.
White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson announced the decision. Johnson, herself a former prisoner who was previously pardoned by Trump, shared the news on social media platform X, writing: "As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation." She added that the pardons reflected Trump's "continued commitment to second chances" and noted that "mercy changes lives."
The White House framed the pardons under the concept of "second opportunity and redemption," according to officials.
Klecko, a former star for the New York Jets, pleaded guilty to perjury after lying to a federal grand jury. Lewis, Henry, and Newton faced convictions related to drug trafficking offenses. Cannon's pardon was issued posthumously.
Johnson said Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones "personally" shared the news with Newton, who won three Super Bowls with the team. The White House did not provide additional comment on the reasoning behind the pardons, despite Trump being described as an avid sports fan.