Henry Ruggs III seeks ‘privilege of parole so I can prove myself to everyone’

Former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III has formally appealed to the Nevada Board of Parole for his release, stating he is seeking the "privilege of parole so I can prove myself to everyone."

Legal Background and Sentencing

Ruggs, a former prep standout in Montgomery and Alabama football star, appeared before the parole board via Zoom from the Northern Nevada Correctional Center in Carson City. He is currently serving a sentence of 36 to 120 months following his August 2023 sentencing for his involvement in the November 2, 2021, fatal traffic collision in Las Vegas that claimed the life of 23-year-old Tina Tintor.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Ruggs told the board: "Not a minute goes by where I don’t think of the pain I caused her family, her friends and the Las Vegas community. I’m a religious person and pray for her family daily."

Parole Decision Expected Soon

While Ruggs' earliest parole date is August 5, KTNV-TV reports that the board expects to reach a decision by June 14. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Commissioner Sandy Schmitt noted that guidelines suggest Ruggs be considered for parole at his first or second opportunity.

The legal case, which saw Ruggs plead guilty to DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, was complex. Prosecutors had initially faced potential hurdles regarding blood-test evidence, which ultimately led to the negotiated plea. Toxicology reports indicated that Ruggs had a blood-alcohol level of 0.161 percent—double the legal limit—and police data showed his vehicle was traveling 156 mph shortly before the collision with Tintor's Toyota RAV4.

Mitigating and Aggravating Factors

The board is weighing several factors in their upcoming decision. Schmitt noted that Ruggs' history of working at the Governor's Mansion, leading inmate cardio classes, and his completion of a degree from Alabama serve as mitigating factors. Conversely, the board is considering his transfer to a higher-security facility in December 2025 after he was removed from a transition program due to non-compliance with travel arrangements as an aggravating factor.

Rise to the NFL

Before his legal issues, Ruggs was a celebrated athlete. A star at Montgomery’s Lee High School, he went on to win a CFP national title at Alabama, recording 24 touchdowns over three seasons. His speed famously turned heads at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine where he ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash. The Raiders drafted him 12th overall in 2020, but the team released him immediately following the 2021 crash. Financial records provided by spotrac.com show he received $11.019 million of his original four-year, $16.672 million contract before his departure from the league.