Former Buffalo Bills running back Travis Henry was one of five former NFL players to get pardoned on Thursday by President Donald Trump.
The news was announced by Alice Marie Johnson, the White House’s “pardon czar.”
“As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation,” Johnson stated on social media.
In addition to Henry, Trump also pardoned Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis and the late Billy Cannon. No reason has been provided by the White House as to why the five players were given pardons.
The former Bills running back pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine in 2009. Henry was financing a drug ring that moved cocaine between Colorado and Montana. He was sentenced to three years in federal prison. The sentence was reduced to two years after Henry completed a drug program in prison.
Buffalo drafted Henry in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft (No. 58 overall). In his career with the Bills (2001-2004), Henry rushed for 3,849 yards and 27 touchdowns while hauling in 103 receptions for 691 yards and two scores.
His best season came in 2002 when he rushed for 1,438 yards and 13 touchdowns on 325 attempts (4.4 YPC). That season, Henry earned his lone Pro Bowl nod.
In 2005, Buffalo would trade Henry to the Tennessee Titans for a 2006 third-round pick. The back would play for the Titans for two seasons and finish his career with the Denver Broncos in 2007.