After his fatal accident in November 2021, Henry Ruggs was sent to prison. The former Raiders receiver has now apologized to the bereaved family for his actions. He also emphasized that he wants to return to the NFL.

At a prison event in Las Vegas, incarcerated wide receiver Henry Ruggs III addressed the family of the victim who died in a car accident involving him.

The crash occurred in November 2021 in Las Vegas. Ruggs was driving his car under the influence of alcohol and was traveling at over 250 km/h, which is much too fast. His blood alcohol level was 1.6, more than twice the legal limit in Nevada.

The former NFL star collided with the car of a woman who had her dog with her. Tina Tintor and her dog Max died. Tina was 23 years old.

Ruggs pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three to ten years in prison in 2023. He is serving his sentence in Nevada State Prison.

Henry Ruggs III continues to show remorse

Ruggs was asked at the “Hope of Prisoners” event what he would say to the Tintor family. He replied, “I wish I could take it back. I wish they could get to know the real Henry Ruggs and not the version of me that was trying to escape something.”

In addition, the former first-round draft pick empathizes with the family’s emotions: “I also sincerely apologize for playing a role in this situation and for being in the news all the time. Because my face keeps reminding them of the accident, keeps reminding them of me.”

In return for his confession, two charges against Ruggs were dropped. These were the separate charge of drunk driving against his injured girlfriend, who was also in the car as a passenger, and reckless driving. If convicted without a plea deal, Ruggs could have faced up to 50 years in prison.

Ruggs had not previously commented publicly on the case. All communication was handled by his lawyer, who consistently asserted how much Ruggs regretted his actions, which is why he had pleaded guilty.

His words at the event were his first public apology.

Henry Ruggs III: “I would love to play again.”

At the same time, he emphasized that he wants to return to the NFL. “Yes, I would love to play again,” Ruggs said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “I’m in a new spiritual place right now and I’m at peace with myself and my abilities. When the time comes, I’m sure I’ll be ready.”

Ruggs will be eligible for early release on parole on August 6, 2026. However, he doesn’t just want to return to the NFL, he wouldn’t mind a comeback with the Raiders. Las Vegas selected him twelfth in the 2020 draft and released him on the day of his arrest.

“Why wouldn’t I?” Ruggs said. “I feel like my chapter there didn’t end in a way that aligns with my values and beliefs. I would love to play again, and what better place to do that than where it all started? Not to mention, I was the first-ever draft pick in Las Vegas.”