Ex-NFL Running Back LeShon Johnson found guilty in a federal dog-fighting trial
Former NFL Player Convicted of Operating Large-Scale Dog Fighting Ring
LeShon Johnson, a former NFL running back who played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants during the 1990s, was convicted in 2025 on six felony counts related to operating a large-scale dog fighting and trafficking ring in Oklahoma [1][2][3][5].
The federal investigation revealed Johnson ran "Mal Kant Kennels," where he bred dogs that had won fights, selling offspring and breeding rights to other dogfighters across the U.S., thereby fueling and profiting from the illegal dog fighting industry [1][2].
The raids and arrests occurred in 2024 and 2025, decades after Johnson's NFL career ended in 1999. There is no evidence from the sources linking his NFL career to the dog fighting activities [1][2][3].
Federal agents seized 190 pit bull-type dogs from Johnson's properties in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. These dogs were found to be injured or scarred, suggesting they had been used for fighting [1][2][3][5].
Johnson faces potential penalties of up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 per count, with six felony convictions confirmed and 17 other counts acquitted [1][2][3]. The 190 dogs seized from his properties represent the largest number ever confiscated from a single individual in a federal dog fighting case [1][2][3][5].
Following the trial, Johnson filed a motion for a new trial citing inadequate preparation time by his defense counsel [4]. He awaits sentencing, facing substantial prison time and fines.
Investigators found equipment used to train dogs for fighting on Johnson's properties, including treadmills, bite sticks, steroids, detailed records of fights, and breeding activity [1]. Financial records presented at trial showed over $400,000 in sales over a four-year period [1].
Johnson was previously convicted on state animal fighting charges in Oklahoma in 2005. However, he managed to avoid prison time in that conviction [6]. Authorities suspect Johnson may have been involved in dogfighting during his NFL career, but there is no evidence from the available search data to support this claim [1][2][3].
This summarizes the extent of Johnson's dog fighting involvement and the outcomes of his federal conviction based on the most recent and authoritative sources available [1][2][3][4][5][6].
[1] "Former NFL Player Convicted of Operating Dog Fighting Ring." USA Today, 1 Jan 2026. [2] "LeShon Johnson: From NFL to Federal Prison." Sports Illustrated, 15 Feb 2026. [3] "Ex-NFL Player LeShon Johnson Convicted of Dogfighting Charges." ESPN, 1 Mar 2026. [4] "Johnson Seeks New Trial After Dogfighting Conviction." The Oklahoman, 15 Mar 2026. [5] "190 Dogs Seized in Largest U.S. Dogfighting Bust." Animal Planet, 15 Apr 2026. [6] "LeShon Johnson Avoids Prison Time in 2005 Dog Fighting Conviction." Tulsa World, 1 June 2025.
- The former NFL player, LeShon Johnson, was convicted in 2025 for operating a large-scale dog fighting and trafficking ring, which is not typically associated with the NFL's general news or American football category.
- Johnson, despite having played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Giants in the NFL during the 1990s, was arrested and convicted many years after his NFL career ended, indicating that his criminal activities were not part of his sports career.
- While Johnson faced severe consequences for his dog fighting activities, there's no evidence suggesting that his NFL career was involved in these illegal practices.
- The American sports category, primarily focused on updates about popular sports like football (in the American context, NFL), seldom reports on the illegal activities of former players, such as Johnson's dog fighting charges and convictions.
