Steelers Now
Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III spoke publicly for one of the first times since the 2021 incident that led to his incarceration, expressing remorse and a desire to one day return to the NFL.
Ruggs was granted special release privileges to appear at a “Hope for Prisoners” event, where he reflected on the tragedy and his path forward.
“Yes, I would love to [play again],” Ruggs said, via Bryan Horwath of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I’m in this newfound spiritual space, and I’m confident in who I am and what I can do, so when the time comes, I’m sure I’ll be ready.”
On the night of Nov. 2, 2021, Ruggs was driving 156 mph when he rear-ended a Toyota RAV4, causing a fiery crash that killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her golden retriever, Max. His blood alcohol level was later revealed to be 0.161, more than twice Nevada’s legal limit.
The Raiders released Ruggs just hours after the incident. In August 2023, he was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison. He is eligible for parole in August 2026 and has reportedly demonstrated good behavior during his incarceration, improving his chances of early release.
If granted parole, Ruggs would be 27 years old, still young enough to realistically compete in the NFL. Former college and NFL teammate Josh Jacobs recently spoke about Ruggs during an appearance on The Pivot Podcast with Ryan Clark.
“He’s positive about everything. He’s training. They let him train and things like that,” Jacobs said. “I’ve been talking to some people for him. They’ve been saying a couple of teams are willing to give him a chance. I’m like, ‘When you get that chance, man, you better not ever look back, and prove to yourself and prove to everybody that one decision doesn’t define you and who you are as a man.’”
Ruggs was selected No. 12 overall by the Raiders in the 2020 NFL Draft and appeared to be on the verge of a breakout second season, including a standout performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in which he recorded five catches for over 100 yards and a touchdown.
Still, parole would only be the first step in Ruggs’ long road back to the NFL. He would need to be reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and could still face league discipline. Any team that considers signing him would also face significant public backlash for taking a chance on a player responsible for a fatal DUI crash.
There is precedent for players returning to the league after incarceration. Michael Vick served 18 months in federal prison for his involvement in a dogfighting operation but returned to play several more seasons, including a Pro Bowl campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles and a brief stint with the Steelers.
Ruggs’ case, however, involves the loss of human life, raising more complex questions about redemption and accountability. If he is released and proves to be in football shape, it is possible some teams will...
