President Donald Trump pardoned five former professional football players - one posthumously - for various crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking somewhat out of the blue on Thursday. Ex-NFL players Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon were granted the clemency. Klecko, a former New York Jets star and Pro Football Hall of Famer, pleaded guilty to perjury in 1993 after lying to a federal grand jury that was investigating insurance fraud. Henry, who played for the Denver Broncos, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine in 2009 for financing a drug ring that moved the drug between Colorado and Montana. The halfback and tight end was a two-time All-Pro player and a two-time Pro Bowler.

Source: Daily Mail February 13, 2026 20:49 UTC