LeShon Johnson, once a standout running back in college football and the NFL, has again found himself on the wrong side of the law. This time, he’s facing up to 30 years in prison after being convicted of running a large-scale dogfighting operation. The Department of Justice announced Monday that a federal jury in Oklahoma found Johnson guilty of violating the Animal Welfare Act, including charges related to the possession, transport, and sale of dogs used in fighting ventures.

The investigation revealed the brutality of Johnson’s operations. Authorities seized 190 dogs—primarily pit bulls—from properties in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma. The raid uncovered disturbing evidence: scarred and injured dogs, treadmills, bite sticks, steroids, and handwritten records detailing fight arrangements and gambling activity. It’s the largest dog seizure ever recorded in a federal dogfighting case.

Johnson’s operation, known as Mal Kant Kennels, was not limited to Oklahoma. Evidence showed he bred, trained, and fought dogs across multiple states. His conviction includes six felony counts, each carrying a potential five-year sentence and a fine of up to $250,000. His latest charges mark a grim continuation of his history with dogfighting—he was previously convicted in Oklahoma state court in 2005 for similar crimes.

A legacy of violence far beyond football

LeShon Johnson Dogs
LeShon Johnson (pictured) holding two dogs in an undated photo.

Before his criminal convictions, Johnson enjoyed a brief but notable football career. In 1993, he led the nation in rushing yards at Northern Illinois and finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1994 and had his most memorable NFL performance in 1996, rushing for 214 yards with two long touchdowns for the Arizona Cardinals. Nicknamed “The Cowboy” for his background in junior rodeo, Johnson’s football career also included a battle with lymphoma, a comeback with the New York Giants, and a stint in the XFL with the Chicago Enforcers.

Despite his athletic achievements, reports suggest Johnson may have been involved in dogfighting even during his playing days. When agents arrested him in Tulsa in 2004, they found a calendar documenting his breeding and fight schedule, with dates extending back to his active NFL years. Johnson’s old breeding operation, Krazyside Kennels, had a notorious reputation. One of his dogs, Nino, was featured in an online narrative that described a fight lasting nearly two hours—even after suffering a broken ankle early in the match.

A 2007 Sports Illustrated piece on NFL star Michael Vick’s dogfighting conviction also referenced Johnson. Reporter George Dohrmann, then at Sports Illustrated, detailed how dogfighting had been a quietly tolerated subculture among some athletes. An unnamed NFL Pro Bowl running back told him, “[Fighting dogs] is a fun thing, a hobby, to some. People are crazy about pit bulls. Guys have these nice, big fancy houses, and there is always a pit bull in the back. And everyone wants to have the biggest, baddest dog on the block.”

Federal officials condemn cruelty and demand justice

Unlike his first conviction, which resulted in probation and a deferred sentence, Johnson is now facing serious prison time. U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson for the Eastern District of Oklahoma called the crime “vicious and cruel,” praising the efforts of law enforcement in bringing Johnson to justice. “Dogfighting is a vicious and cruel crime that has no place in a civilized society,” Wilson said in a statement.

Other federal officials echoed that sentiment. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “This criminal profited off of the misery of innocent animals and he will face severe consequences for his vile crimes.” FBI Director Kash Patel added, “The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting. Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.”

For Johnson, whose football accolades once drew admiration, the legacy now appears overshadowed by a long-standing commitment to cruelty and organized animal abuse. This conviction signals what may be the final chapter in a dark saga that outlasted his athletic fame by decades.