As for 2a and 2b, Article 2, Sec. 2 of the constitution says "[The President] shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States." While I can imagine a situation in which the united states brought a civil suit against an individual or corporation, this language was likely intended to distinguish civil (two people suing each other) from criminal (where the government is party to the proceedings). Pardon power does not to extend to civil cases..The four players were implicated in what the NFL said was a bounty pool run by former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and paid improper cash bonuses for hits that injured opponents. The players have acknowledged a pool but denied they intended to injure anyone. Goodell has been unmoved by the players' distinction regarding intent, outlining several instances in which Williams made notations of player rewards due for hits that knocked opponents out of games..

It was a humbling