Before the NFL draft, Henry Ruggs III was confident he’d make a difference. Unfortunately, two seasons, 20 games, and less than 18 months was all Henry Ruggs III got with the Las Vegas Raiders. By the end of 2021, things took a nosedive when Ruggs was involved in a car crash costing in a 3-to-10-year prison sentence and his place on the team. Yet, he hasn’t given up on proving himself to everyone.

“Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III appealed to the Nevada Board of Parole to grant him ‘the privilege of parole so I can prove myself to everyone,’ AL.com reported. “The former Montgomery prep star and Alabama wide receiver was sentenced to from 36 to 120 months in prison on Aug. 9, 2023, for his role in the death of Tina Tintor in a wreck on Nov. 2, 2021, in Las Vegas.”

Henry Ruggs pleaded guilty in May 2023 to felony DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter after reaching a deal with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office. Three months later in August 2023, he received 36 to 120 months on the felony count and six months on the misdemeanor. The road to that decision proved long and complicated.

The crash happened on November 2, 2021, at approximately 3:40 a.m., just 558 days after Henry Ruggs got drafted 12th overall by the Raiders. The 24-year-old wide receiver drove his Corvette at 156 mph with a blood alcohol level of 0.161%, more than twice Nevada’s legal limit. His car slammed into 23-year-old Tina Tintor’s Toyota RAV4 west of The Strip, propelling it 571 feet and setting it ablaze. Tintor and her dog, Max, burned to death in the fireball, as per the coroner’s ruling in December.

Ruggs faced multiple felony charges, including DUI resulting in death and reckless driving. Police reported he refused a field sobriety test on site. He got seriously injured in the crash and was transported to the hospital. He was released from the hospital, posted $150,000 bond, and the Raiders cut him mid-second season. Still, his troubles were far from over as he stayed on house arrest with alcohol and location monitoring.

During his hearing, Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman addressed the urgency for a blood draw warrant.

“There’s obvious time constraints in applying for a search warrant for a blood draw,” Zimmerman said. “Under the totality of the circumstances, there is more than sufficient evidence for a finding of probable cause for the issuance of the search warrant in this case.” He also addressed Ruggs’ injuries and refusal to cooperate.

“Nobody has mentioned so far that Mr. Ruggs was seriously injured in this accident and transported to the hospital, so he would have been unable to submit to field sobriety tests. Coupled with his refusal to answer questions, this does not result in a reward. … Motion to suppress is denied.”

However, Henry Ruggs’ lawyer, David Chesnoff, argued officers lacked probable cause for the blood test taken about two hours after the crash. Authorities maintained his blood alcohol content measured 0.16. Still, Chesnoff claimed officers knew they did not have enough evidence for probable cause and that involvement in the fiery crash was not enough.

Fast forward to May 2023, Ruggs pleaded guilty in Clark County District Court to one count of DUI resulting in death and one count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He faced three to 10 years in a Nevada state prison. A judge set his sentencing for August 9.

On the day, the former stood in a dark suit and spoke softly. Judge Jennifer Schwartz asked him to speak up. When asked to acknowledge the crash details resulting in Tintor’s death, Ruggs responded, “Yes, Your Honor.”

District Attorney Steven B. Wolfson called the DUI resulting in death charge “the most serious charge the law allows” when someone dies from drunk driving. The charge rested virtually entirely on the blood draw results at the hospital. But had the judge suppressed the blood draw, Wolfson said there was a “strong likelihood” the DUI death charge would have been dismissed.

Now, three years since his sentencing, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Ruggs can appeal to be paroled at his first or second opportunity, according to Nevada Board of Parole Commissioner Sandy Schmitt. Furthermore, KTNV-TV revealed the Nevada Board of Parole is aiming to decide on Ruggs’ case by June 14, as his earliest parole date is August 5.

Appealing for his parole, Henry Ruggs III issued a statement during his first appearance before the Nevada Board of Parole on Monday. The appeal was made via video conferencing from Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City.

“Not a minute goes by where I don’t think of the pain I caused her family, her friends, and the Las Vegas community,” Ruggs said, according to KTNV-TV. “I’m a religious person and pray for her family daily.”

However, this appeal from the ex-Raiders receiver before the parole board wasn’t his first public expression of remorse. In 2025, before pursuing parole, Ruggs issued a direct apology to the family of Tina Tintor, acknowledging the irreversible pain his reckless actions caused.

Henry Ruggs III issues a direct apology to Tina Tintor’s family

Last year, during a special release from prison for a Hope for Prisoners event in Las Vegas, Henry Ruggs III was asked if he had a message for the late Tina Tintor and her family four years after the gut-wrenching accident. Responding to this question, the former Raiders wideout issued an emotional apology to Tintor’s family, taking responsibility for his actions.

“One, I wish I could turn back the hands of time,” he said, per 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.”

Not just that, when asked whether he still hopes to return to professional football, he did not hesitate.

“Yes, I would love to,” Ruggs said. “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.”

The journey he created is certainly one to look back on. At Alabama, Ruggs dominated for three seasons with 98 receptions for 1,716 yards and 24 touchdowns while averaging 17.5 yards per catch. He added exactly 2 carries for 75 yards and one rushing touchdown in his college career. His kickoff return yardage totaled 525 yards across 25 returns, including 13 for 239 yards in 2017, none in 2018, and 12 for 286 yards in 2019.

In the NFL with the Raiders, Ruggs appeared in 20 games with 19 starts over two seasons. He caught 50 passes for 921 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 18.4 yards per reception. His longest gain reached 72 yards in 2020. He also rushed 12 times for 65 yards, averaging 5.4 yards per carry, with 9 carries for 49 yards in 2020, and 3 carries for 16 yards in 2021. Pro Football Reference lists his career receiving stats at 50 receptions, 921 yards, and 4 total touchdowns. But for the last few years, he’s been away from what he does best.

He has been relocated four times between rehabilitation centers since his sentencing. Since his name still draws attention, correctional officials weigh his visibility, legal status, and ongoing rehabilitation programs when deciding where he should serve his term. Now, Ruggs remains eligible for parole in August 2026, with a mandatory review set for July 2027. Still, his situation stays under constant scrutiny.

He now calls a medium-security facility home, which houses more than 1,600 inmates. This placement differs significantly from previous stops like Casa Grande Transitional Housing and High Desert State Prison. However, officials have not revealed the exact reasons for the upgrade in security. The decision signals a need for stability and stronger oversight as he continues his sentence.

Henry Ruggs III’s appeal for parole marks a significant moment in his journey toward accountability for his actions that led to the death of Tina Tintor. With the Nevada Board of Parole set to decide by June 14, the coming weeks will determine whether he gets the opportunity to prove himself outside prison.