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Headline Roundup February 18th, 2020

President Trump Pardons Eddie DeBartolo, Ex-San Francisco 49ers Owner

Summary from the AllSides News Team

President Donald Trump announced a plan Tuesday to pardon Eddie DeBartolo, ex-owner of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers who was convicted in connection with a gambling scandal in 1998. The president met with former star players Tuesday at the White House in connection with the announcement, some of whom publicly praised his decision. That fact was a main focus of ensuing media coverage; other voices also focused on the possible reasoning for the move and implications it could have on the 2020 election.

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NFL greats cheer as Trump pardons former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.
NFL greats cheer as Trump pardons former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr.

Fox News Digital

News

The White House announced Tuesday that President Trump is granting a full pardon to former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr., who was convicted of failing to report a bribe to the former governor of Louisiana when he pleaded guilty in 1998.

NFL greats including Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, Charles Haley, and Jim Brown were on hand at the White House, expressing their support for DeBartolo, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.

"I take my hat off to Donald Trump for what he...

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San Francisco 49ers Icon Edward DeBartolo Pardoned by Donald Trump
News

Edward DeBartolo, the former owner of the San Francisco 49ers, has been pardoned by President Donald Trump.

DeBartolo had been convicted of fraud in a gambling scandal in 1998 involving former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards. DeBartolo avoided prison for his role in the scheme and was sentenced to probation, with a fine of $250,000, $350,000 in restitution and $400,000 in forfeiture.

Following his conviction, DeBartolo had been forced to hand over the keys to the 49ers to his sister, Denise York. During his tenure as the team’s owner, the 49ers...

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Why did Trump just pardon a former owner of the 49ers? In part because he wants to win Ohio.
Analysis

When my family moved to Howland, Ohio, when I was a freshman in high school, I quickly learned that while the region in northeastern Ohio was formally Cleveland Browns territory, there was a big, loud San Francisco 49ers subculture. The reason for this was twofold. In part, it was a function of how good the Niners were at the time. In larger part, though, it was a function of the team’s owner: Edward DeBartolo Jr.

Howland is a bit east of the city of Warren, which is itself due northwest...

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