Nevada board announces decision on parole for Henry Ruggs III
The former NFL wide receiver is serving a 36- to 120-month prison sentence for his role in a traffic fatality.
Olivia Bennett 
The Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners has officially denied parole for former NFL wide receiver Henry Ruggs III. Despite being classified as a low-risk offender and receiving a recommendation for release, the former Alabama standout will remain behind bars.
A Legal Roadblock
Ruggs, who was sentenced to 36 to 120 months in prison on Aug. 9, 2023, for his role in the Nov. 2, 2021, wreck that killed Tina Tintor in Las Vegas, reached his earliest parole eligibility date on Aug. 5, 2026. During a virtual appearance before the board last month from the Northern Nevada Correctional Center, Ruggs pleaded for “the privilege of parole so I can prove myself to everyone.”
However, the board’s May report released Thursday confirmed the denial. According to Kathi Baker, executive director of the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners, as reported by The Associated Press, Ruggs will not have another opportunity for parole consideration until May 2027, just months ahead of his mandatory release date on Aug. 27, 2027.
Background of the Case
In May 2023, Ruggs pleaded guilty to driving under the influence resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. Judge Jennifer Schwartz subsequently handed down the 36- to 120-month sentence for the primary count and an additional six months for the second charge.
The fatal incident occurred early on Nov. 2, 2021, when a Corvette driven by Ruggs struck a Toyota RAV4 driven by 23-year-old Tina Tintor at 156 mph 2.5 seconds before impact, according to Las Vegas police. Reports indicated Ruggs had a blood-alcohol level of 0.161 percent, nearly double the legal limit. A coroner’s report noted Tintor died from thermal injuries and blunt-force trauma sustained in the collision.
Incarceration History
Ruggs spent time at High Desert State Prison and Stewart Conservation Camp before transitioning to Casa Grande Transitional Housing in late 2024. However, he was returned to the Northern Nevada Correctional Facility in December 2025 due to “non-compliance with travel arrangements.”
From Tuscaloosa to the NFL
Before his legal issues, Ruggs was a star at Lee High School in Montgomery and a key contributor to Alabama’s 2017 national championship team. During his Crimson Tide career, he logged 1,716 yards and 24 touchdowns on 98 receptions. After a standout showing at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, where he ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash, the Las Vegas Raiders selected him 12th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Spotrac data indicates Ruggs earned $11.019 million of his $16.672 million contract before being released by the team on the day of the crash.
