Tara Ziemba/Getty ImagesSylvester Stallone arrives to the Los Angeles premiere of ‘The Promise’ at TCL Chinese Theater, April 12, 2017 in Hollywood, Calif.
Trump said he received a phone call from “Rocky” actor Sylvester Stallone, who told him about Johnson’s life story. The White House did not say when the call occurred, but Trump and Stallone have been acquaintances for years.
The Ring Magazine/Getty Images, FILEAmerican boxer Jack Johnson poses for a portrait circa 1900.
In 1913, Johnson, who was black, was convicted by an all-white jury with violating the Mann Act after transporting a white woman he was dating across state lines for “immoral purposes.” Johnson served one year in prison.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images, FILEAmerican heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson (1878-1946), is pictured with his wife on board a ship in this undated stock photo.
Bettmann Archive/Getty ImagesFormer world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson is pictured with his wife Irene in Paris in this undated file photo.
Johnson, a boxing legend and major figure in 20th century sports, bucked racial barriers and racism until his death in 1946.
Bettmann Archive/Getty Images, FILEJack Johnson, former heavyweight champion, and his wife are pictured on the S.S. Bremen in this undated file photo.
Johnson’s great-great niece, Linda Haywood, has led the charge for Johnson to receive a rare posthumous pardon, according to the Associated Press.
Branger/Roger Viollet/Getty Images, FILEAmerican boxer Jack Johnson is pictured circa 1913.
In recent years, Senators John McCain (R-Arizona), Harry Reid (R-Kentucky) and Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) have advocated for Johnson’s name to be cleared. This year, McCain, Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Rep. Pete King (R-N.Y.) reintroduced legislation urging a posthumous pardon.
American Stock/Getty Images, FILEAmerican boxers Stanley Ketchell (1886-1910) (L) and Jack Johnson (1878-1946) touch gloves while squaring off in the boxing ring before their fight in San Francisco, Calif. Oct. 10, 1909.
“Jack Johnson is a boxing legend and pioneer whose reputation was wrongly tarnished by a racially motivated conviction more than a century ago,” said McCain in a statement. “Despite this resolution passing both chambers of Congress several times in recent years, no pardon has been issued to date. I hope President Trump will seize the opportunity before him to right this historical wrong and restore a great athlete’s legacy.”
Buyenlarge/Getty Images, FILEAmerican boxer Jack Johnson poses for a portrait circa 1909.
Trump has recently pardoned Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio and former Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff Scooter Libby.
Sean Sexton/Getty Images, FILEAmerican boxer Jack Johnson (1878 – 1946), is pictured July 4, 1910. Johnson was the first African-American World Champion, after he defeated Jim Jeffries in Reno, Nevada.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
