Trump Pardons Ex-San Francisco 49ers Owner DeBartolo Jr.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has pardoned Edward DeBartolo Jr., the former San Francisco 49ers owner convicted in a gambling fraud scandal.

DeBartolo Jr. built the San Francisco 49ers' 1980s-1990s dynasty. He was involved in one of the biggest owners' scandals in the sport's history. In 1998, he pleaded guilty to failing to report a felony when he paid $400,000 to former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards in exchange for a riverboat gambling license.

The White House announced the surprise decision to reporters on Tuesday. NFL great Jerry Rice played on three of DeBartolo's Super Bowl-winning teams and says DeBartolo “was like that 12th man” of the great 49ers teams.

(Story written by By AAMER MADHANI, KEVIN FREKING AND JILL COLVIN/AP)