Latest news with #HopeForPrisoners
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
After Years Behind Bars, Henry Ruggs Eyes NFL Comeback
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 19: Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) goes long for a touchdown reception during the game on September 19, 2021 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire) 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. Advertisement '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. Advertisement '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. 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) 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 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. Advertisement 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. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: After Years Behind Bars, Henry Ruggs Eyes NFL Comeback Related Headlines
Forbes
18-06-2025
- Forbes
Henry Ruggs Apologizes For His Deadly Actions At NonProfit Event
During a public speaking event for former and current prisoners held by a Las Vegas nonprofit called Hope for Prisoners, former NFL receiver Henry Ruggs issued a public apology to the family of Tina Tintor for his drunken driving accident four years ago that took the life of the 23-year-old Timor and her dog Max. 'I wish I could turn back the hands of time,' Ruggs said in a video shared by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 'I would love for them to meet the real Henry Ruggs and not the one that was escaping from something. I sincerely apologize not only for being a part of that situation, but the fact that my face was always in the news so they have to constantly be reminded of the situation.' Due to receiving a special release, Ruggs was given the chance to speak to the public for the first time since his 2023 court sentencing. In November of 2021, authorities reported that Ruggs was driving his Corvette at the top speed of 156 miles per hour around 3:40 a.m. before crashing into the victim's SUV. The incident left Tintor and her dog trapped inside the burning vehicle which led to their eventual deaths. While testing his blood-alcohol level at the scene, it was revealed that Ruggs' level was at a 0.16 which was more than twice the Nevada legal limit. Ruggs pleaded guilty to one count of DUI resulting in death and one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter in May 2023 following the accident. He was sentenced three to 10 years by the Clark County District Court with the possibility of parole on August 7, 2026. Ruggs admitted to the public that time locked away has been a 'humbling' experience and expressed an added motivation to resume life 'outside these walls'. As of last year, the former NFL receiver has been residing in a transitional housing unit less than a mile away from the Raiders' home stadium Allegiant Stadium. While the parents of Tintor didn't directly respond to Ruggs' recent apology, Tintor's uncle Pedja Komazec spoke on their behalf through a text message between he and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 'I have a lot of things to say, but just to say a couple words is not enough,' Komazec said in a text Tuesday night,' Komazec said to the Review-Journal. Prior to his crime, Ruggs was a first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders after a successful three-year stint with the Alabama Crimson Tide. In 20 career games, he accumulated 921 receiving yards and four touchdown receptions.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs apologizes to family of woman he killed in car crash
Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III said he wishes he could "turn back the hands of time" while speaking at an event Tuesday about his 2021 drunk driving car crash that left a woman dead. Ruggs, 26, was granted special release from prison to speak at a Hope For Prisoners event, the group said in a Facebook post. He was sentenced to three to 10 years after he pleaded guilty in 2023 to a felony count of DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor manslaughter. The crash was the result of drunk driving and speeding and killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor. "It's an unfortunate situation that I'm sure we all wish we can make some choices again and turn back the hands of time," he said in a livestream of the event. "I never saw myself in that type of situation." Ruggs said he never planned on driving that night. Police said Ruggs was driving his Corvette at 156 mph while drunk when he crashed into Tintor's vehicle on Nov. 2, 2021. She died of thermal injuries after the car caught fire, the medical examiner's office said. Her dog also died in the crash. When asked what he would say to Tintor's family, Ruggs responded: "I would love for them to meet the real Henry Ruggs and not the one that was escaping from something." "I sincerely apologize for not only being a part of that situation, but the fact that my face is always in the news, my face is always in the newspaper, so they have to constantly be reminded of the situation," he continued. The former NFL athlete, who attended the University of Alabama, was drafted by the Raiders in 2020, but was dropped from the team hours after the crash. Ruggs said he would love the opportunity to play football again and would be open to returning to the Raiders. "I would love to come and go out gracefully," he said. "I don't feel like I ended on the terms that are meaningful to me and that I value." This article was originally published on
National Post
18-06-2025
- National Post
Ex-Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs apologizes to family of woman he killed while driving 244 km/h
Former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs, on special release Tuesday night, spoke at a Hope for Prisoners event in Las Vegas and apologized to the family of a woman he killed in a car crash nearly four years ago. Article content Ruggs drove his sports car at speeds up to 156 mph (244 km/h) in the city on Nov. 2, 2021, slamming into a vehicle that killed driver Tina Tintor and her dog, Max. Tintor was 23. Article content Article content Ruggs was asked at the event what he would say to Tintor's family. Article content 'One, I wish I could turn back the hands of time,' he said in a video taken by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 'I would love for them to meet the real Henry Ruggs and not the one that was escaping from something. I sincerely apologize for not only being a part of that situation, but the fact my face is always in the news, it's always in the newspaper. So they have to constantly be reminded of the situation, be reminded of me.' Article content Ruggs, a former first-round draft pick, pleaded guilty in May 2023 to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He was sentenced in August 2023 to a 3- to 10-year prison sentence. Article content
NBC News
18-06-2025
- NBC News
Ex-Raiders receiver Henry Ruggs apologizes to car crash victim's family
Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III said he wishes he could "turn back the hands of time" while speaking at an event Tuesday about his role in a 2021 car crash that left a woman dead. Ruggs, 26, was granted special release from prison to speak at a Hope For Prisoners event, the group said in a Facebook post. He was sentenced to three to 10 years after he pleaded guilty in 2023 to a felony count of DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor manslaughter. The crash was the result of drunk driving and speeding and killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor. "It's an unfortunate situation that I'm sure we all wish we can make some choices again and turn back the hands of time," he said in a livestream of the event. "I never saw myself in that type of situation." Ruggs said he never planned on driving that night. Police said Ruggs was driving his Corvette at 156 mph while drunk when he crashed into Tintor's vehicle on Nov. 2, 2021. She died of thermal injuries after the car caught fire, the medical examiner's office said. Her dog also died in the crash. When asked what he would say to Tintor's family, Ruggs responded: "I would love for them to meet the real Henry Ruggs and not the one that was escaping from something." "I sincerely apologize for not only being a part of that situation, but the fact that my face is always in the news, my face is always in the newspaper, so they have to constantly be reminded of the situation," he continued. The former NFL athlete, who attended the University of Alabama, was drafted by the Raiders in 2020, but was dropped from the team hours after the crash. Ruggs said he would love the opportunity to play football again and would be open to returning to the Raiders. "I would love to come and go out gracefully," he said. "I don't feel like I ended on the terms that are meaningful to me and that I value."
