President Donald Trump quietly signed full pardons for five former NFL players this week, including Dallas Cowboys icon Nate Newton, who once faced decades in prison for moving 175 pounds of marijuana. The move comes as millions of Americans still carry criminal records for cannabis offenses that are now legal in most states.
The White House confirmed the pardons late Wednesday without fanfare. Newton, a three-time Super Bowl champion and six-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman, received the most attention because of the massive size of his 2002 drug bust.
From Super Bowl Hero to Federal Prisoner
Nate Newton earned fame as the powerhouse right guard who protected Troy Aikman and opened lanes for Emmitt Smith during the Cowboys dynasty of the early 1990s. Fans called him “The Kitchen” because he was too big to fit in the refrigerator.
That glory crashed hard in 2001. Louisiana state troopers pulled Newton over for a traffic stop and found $10,000 cash in his truck. Weeks later, police stopped a van he owned and discovered 175 pounds of marijuana hidden inside. Federal prosecutors charged him with conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
Newton pleaded guilty in 2002 and served 32 months in federal prison. A second arrest months after his release added more time behind bars.
Five Former Players Get Second Chance
Trump’s latest pardons include four other ex-NFL players who also ran afoul of drug laws years ago:
- Jason Gildon (Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker)
- Obafemi Ayanbadejo (fullback who played for several teams)
- Jamal Lewis (Baltimore Ravens running back and 2003 rushing champion)
- Derrick Means (briefly with the Houston Texans)
White House officials say each man showed strong rehabilitation and community service since leaving prison.
Timing Raises Eyebrows as Cannabis Laws Change Fast
The pardons land at a pivotal moment for marijuana policy. The Biden administration is close to moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under federal law. Twenty-four states plus Washington, D.C., already allow recreational sales.
More than 2.3 million Americans still have state-level marijuana convictions on their records, according to the Last Prisoner Project. Thousands more carry federal convictions that block jobs, housing, and student loans.
Civil rights groups praised the Newton pardon but called it a drop in the bucket.
Cowboys Family Celebrates Big Nate’s Freedom
Former teammates flooded social media with joy. Emmitt Smith posted a photo hugging Newton with the caption “Welcome home for good, Kitchen!” Troy Aikman told reporters the pardon felt long overdue.
Newton himself stayed quiet Thursday. Friends say he now runs a trucking company in Texas and mentors young athletes about avoiding the mistakes that cost him years of freedom.
The former 340-pound lineman once joked that prison food was the best diet he ever tried. Now at age 62, he finally closes that dark chapter for good.
These five pardons add to more than 20 cannabis-related clemencies Trump has granted since 2020. Advocates hope the next president, whoever wins in November, speeds up relief for the thousands still waiting.
