In a high-profile move centered on “second chances,” President Donald Trump has granted official pardons to five former NFL players. Orchestrated by White House clemency advisor Alice Marie Johnson, the move aims to recognize individuals who, despite past legal failures, have contributed to their communities and demonstrated “the courage to rise again.”
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- Joe Klecko (NY Jets): The Hall of Fame defensive lineman is now cleared of a 1993 perjury conviction related to an insurance investigation.
- Nate Newton (Dallas Cowboys): The three-time Super Bowl champion, once caught in a massive marijuana trafficking sting in 2002, received a personal call from Jerry Jones to confirm his record is now clear.
- Jamal Lewis (Baltimore Ravens): The powerhouse back’s 2004 conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine has been pardoned.
- Travis Henry (Bills/Titans/Broncos): Henry, who faced a heavy sentence in 2009 for cocaine trafficking, was granted clemency for his post-prison rehabilitation efforts.
- Billy Cannon (LSU/Oilers): The 1959 Heisman winner received a posthumous pardon for a 1980s counterfeiting scheme, a move largely seen as a tribute to his later-life service as a prison dentist.
The Big Picture
The announcement was part of a broader wave of executive clemency that also included figures like Todd and Julie Chrisley. By utilizing Alice Marie Johnson as the face of the announcement, the administration emphasized a theme of restorative justice, focusing on the “grit” required to rebuild a life after a felony conviction.
“Excellence is not just about what you do on the field; it’s about how you respond when you’re tackled by life.” — Alice Marie Johnson
