Josh Jacobs admits he was supposed to hang out with Henry Ruggs III on the night he killed an innocent in road accident

Josh Jacobs admits he was supposed to hang out with Henry Ruggs III on the night he killed an innocent in road accident

Josh Jacobs could have saved Henry Ruggs III from sabotaging his NFL career (Image Credits: L-via IMAGO, R-via Open Source)

In multiple instances, prominent NFL athletes like Aaron Hernandez and O.J. Simpson have thrown their careers away in a few moments. They were talented players who let their fame get the best of them and resorted to unlawful activities, which tarnished their legacy forever. In recent history, the case of Henry Ruggs III is one that sent chills down the spines of fans.

On November 2, 2021, Henry Ruggs III was driving his Chevy Corvette at over 150 mph while intoxicated with a blood-alcohol level of 0.161. Ruggs ended up rear-ending a car driven by Tina Tintor, which ultimately led to her demise. His actions derailed what could have been a bright NFL career, and Ruggs III is currently serving three to ten years in prison for a fatal DUI crash.

It has been three years since the incident ensued, and Henry Ruggs III continues to serve his penance. The Raiders wasted no time in releasing him after the incident. Ruggs III becomes eligible for parole next year in 2026. However, the latest episode of the Pivot Podcast with running back Josh Jacobs confirms a potential ‘What could have been’ scenario that is heartbreaking.

Josh Jacobs, now a Green Bay Packer, revealed that he and Henry Ruggs III were supposed to meet up on the fateful night that the wide receiver ended up crashing his car.

I got goosebumps bro…I still talk to Henry, so Henry still call me, I still help him out…Like his wife and daughter, we still connected. I know his whole family…It’s real love on a deeper level when it come to Ruggs. The sad part about it was, we talked about going out that night. It wasn’t nowhere crazy, We went to Top Golf, you feel me? He literally told me, ‘You coming?’ I’m like,’Yeah, I’m gonna go. It got late. I’m like, man, I’m not gonna step and then I’m getting woken up to my lawyers calling me, like, tell Ruggs, we got hit, we gonna represent him, and I’m like,’What you talking about? And then I'[ll go on social media…

Jacobs recalled

Jacobs and Ruggs were to hang out together that night, but fate had a cruel plan in place for the wideout. The running back cancelled on him because it was getting too late, and ultimately, it turned out to be the worst night of Ruggs III’s life.

If Josh Jacobs were present on the scene, he could arguably have changed the trajectory of Ruggs’ life. The running back has a great bond with the wideout’s family, and he could have been that mitigating factor that prevented him from driving under the influence and overspeeding.

Josh Jacobs was distraught after finding out about Henry Ruggs III’s legal troubles

Josh Jacobs was visibly shocked when he received news of Ruggs III’s DUI from his lawyers. It was not until his lawyers reached out to him and he got himself up to date through social media that he knew what Ruggs III had gotten himself into. Unfortunately, it was a case of ‘too little, too late.’ Jacobs went on to visit the Ruggs family after the incident and attempted to uphold his character.

I had some words with some of with some people over there. I’m just like, ‘Man, Like, y’all gotta understand, bro. Like, he the breadwinner of the family, he’s the one changing all your life, everybody, you know, I’m saying, and then, not only that, he’s a good kid. He’s never, never been in trouble. I’ve never seen him do nothing crazy, like he was just one of them guys that had a very, very unfortunate situation, and something happened, a decision that he made, you know, and that’s what hurt me the most…

Jacobs said

Josh Jacobs looked at the wideout and hated that this was the decision he had made because he was the last person who deserved to be in such a situation.

Henry Ruggs III
One decison, is all it took for Henry Ruggs III to sabotage his NFL career (Image via AP)

Henry Ruggs III and Josh Jacobs have a strong bond. They were teammates for two seasons at Alabama, and then they reunited in Las Vegas. In two seasons, Ruggs finished with 50 receptions, 921 yards, and 4 touchdowns. He had immense potential, but one bad decision ruined his career. While he is eligible for parole from next year onward, Ruggs III still has a chance to make an NFL comeback.

Jacobs has been there for the man through thick and thin, even continuing to stay in touch with him despite his incarceration. Jacobs went as far as to say that Ruggs III continues to train in prison and that he will come out ready to make the most of his second chance.

It is heartwarming to see the bond between Jacobs and Ruggs’ family. However, the incident is also a grim reminder of the impact that one minor bad decision can have on the career of a talented athlete and his family. To date, it is unfortunate that Ruggs got himself into the mess that he found himself in, but everybody deserves a second chance, and the hope is that the wideout has understood the magnitude of his actions in prison.

Assuming an NFL team gives him another opportunity, Ruggs III will need to prove that he is nothing less than a saint in matters of his conduct while playing at an elite level. There is a good chance that he could join Josh Jacobs in Green Bay because the team needs talented wideouts, and the running back is likely to help his brother out. Henry Ruggs III’s fate depends on his parole status and if the NFL is willing to accept him back into their circle or not.

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