{"id":147298,"date":"2025-06-21T11:03:17","date_gmt":"2025-06-21T11:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/147298\/"},"modified":"2025-06-21T11:03:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T11:03:17","slug":"after-years-behind-bars-henry-ruggs-eyes-nfl-comeback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/147298\/","title":{"rendered":"After Years Behind Bars, Henry Ruggs Eyes NFL Comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III <\/a>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.<\/p>\n

Ruggs was granted special release privileges to appear at a \u201cHope for Prisoners\u201d event, where he reflected on the tragedy and his path forward.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYes, I would love to [play again],\u201d Ruggs said<\/a>, via Bryan Horwath of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. \u201cI\u2019m in this newfound spiritual space, and I\u2019m confident in who I am and what I can do, so when the time comes, I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll be ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u2019s legal limit.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/a><\/p>\n

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\u201cHe\u2019s positive about everything. He\u2019s training. They let him train and things like that,\u201d Jacobs said. \u201cI\u2019ve been talking to some people for him. They\u2019ve been saying a couple of teams are willing to give him a chance. I\u2019m like, \u2018When you get that chance, man, you better not ever look back, and prove to yourself and prove to everybody that one decision doesn\u2019t define you and who you are as a man.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Still, parole would only be the first step in Ruggs\u2019 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"Steelers<\/p>\n

171110-N-VC599-106 NORFOLK (Nov. 10, 2017) Fox Sports analyst and former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, center, poses with referees during a flag football game held on board Naval Station Norfolk. Fox Sports coverage across the Veterans Day weekend provides the opportunity to showcase for the American people the professionalism and commitment of the men and women of the U.S. Navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Wolpert\/Released)<\/p>\n

Ruggs\u2019 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 evaluate his potential. The former Alabama speedster ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and still possesses elite athletic traits.<\/p>\n

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Whether he deserves another chance remains a deeply polarizing issue. But with teams reportedly monitoring his situation and August 2026 drawing closer, a Ruggs resurgence, even in a city like Pittsburgh, may not be as far-fetched as it once seemed.<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on Steelers Now<\/a>: After Years Behind Bars, Henry Ruggs Eyes NFL Comeback<\/a><\/p>\n

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