Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

milestogo

(23,211 posts)
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:09 PM Feb 2026

Trump pardons 5 former NFL players for crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday pardoned five former professional football players — one posthumously — for various crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking.

The pardons were announced by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson. Ex-NFL players Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon were granted the clemency.

"As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation," Johnson wrote on the social media site X, as she thanked Trump for his "continued commitment to second chances."

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 return a request for comment Thursday night on why Trump, an avid sports fan, pardoned the players.

https://www.npr.org/2026/02/13/nx-s1-5713307/trump-nfl-pardons

Football players are now above the law... I guess that's good news for a lot of them.

16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump pardons 5 former NFL players for crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking (Original Post) milestogo Feb 2026 OP
It's nice to see pro athletes hanging on to enough money to afford this. flvegan Feb 2026 #1
I think you forgot the sarcasm emoji. milestogo Feb 2026 #3
Do I really need it though? flvegan Feb 2026 #5
cannon printed money in his dentist office rampartd Feb 2026 #4
Please tell me he used a canon photocopier unblock Feb 2026 #6
that would be cute rampartd Feb 2026 #9
I heard he invented the cannonball. milestogo Feb 2026 #12
Spoken like a true anti-dentite. flvegan Feb 2026 #7
i've had it in for dentists ever since they filled my teeth with mercury. rampartd Feb 2026 #10
cannon was a counterfeiter rampartd Feb 2026 #2
I just find it so strange that our Hey Joe Feb 2026 #8
He has an affinity for "manly men" and underage girls. milestogo Feb 2026 #13
My guess is he'd pardon anyone. BlueKota Feb 2026 #16
Dealing drugs is okay if you played football, bad if you ride on a boat Johonny Feb 2026 #11
I recently thought about Billy Cannon, wondering what ever became of him hvn_nbr_2 Feb 2026 #14
OMG I haven't thought about the 'weekly reader' in years. milestogo Feb 2026 #15

flvegan

(66,558 posts)
1. It's nice to see pro athletes hanging on to enough money to afford this.
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:14 PM
Feb 2026

Too often you hear of their fortunes squandered foolishly.

rampartd

(5,141 posts)
4. cannon printed money in his dentist office
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:21 PM
Feb 2026

i don't know if that counts as "hanging on to money"

rampartd

(5,141 posts)
9. that would be cute
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:36 PM
Feb 2026

it has been many years, but i think it was the old fashioned engraving plates, pressing out $100s one at a time.

after further review $6M buried in 2 ice chests.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/1983/07/21/the-cannon-counterfeit-case-is-a-perplexing-one/62837967007/

rampartd

(5,141 posts)
10. i've had it in for dentists ever since they filled my teeth with mercury.
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:40 PM
Feb 2026

they had to pull my teeth for the radiation treatments , but my advice is

"take care of your teeth,"

rampartd

(5,141 posts)
2. cannon was a counterfeiter
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:16 PM
Feb 2026

one great punt return on halloween night gets him on local tv once per year, but seriously.

Hey Joe

(832 posts)
8. I just find it so strange that our
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:36 PM
Feb 2026

“Law and order president “ has such affinity for criminals!!

/s

milestogo

(23,211 posts)
13. He has an affinity for "manly men" and underage girls.
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:46 PM
Feb 2026

"Manly men" includes billionnaires, first responders, and pro athletes. Liking them makes him manly.

BlueKota

(5,558 posts)
16. My guess is he'd pardon anyone.
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 04:01 PM
Feb 2026

That is as long as they fawn over him and give him a sizeable "donation," to his next self aggrandizing project.

Johonny

(26,663 posts)
11. Dealing drugs is okay if you played football, bad if you ride on a boat
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 12:41 PM
Feb 2026

The random rules of the stupid Trump administration. The softest administration on crime we've ever had.

hvn_nbr_2

(6,820 posts)
14. I recently thought about Billy Cannon, wondering what ever became of him
Fri Feb 13, 2026, 02:53 PM
Feb 2026

I remembered "My Weekly Reader" in elementary school had an article about him while he was still in college, but I couldn't remember anything after that.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Trump pardons 5 former NF...