Henry Ruggs III training for NFL return as he serves prison sentence

Josh Jacobs reveals that Henry Ruggs III continues to train and prepare for an NFL comeback provided he gets parole in August 2026.

Henry Ruggs III (Image via CNN)

Henry Ruggs III has one of the more disturbing incidents of a talented star in the NFL ruining his career, just as he was getting started. The 12th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft was the first wide receiver to have his name called on the stage.

Ruggs had it all: A bright future spent doing the very thing he had trained his entire life for, playing football at the highest level. However, 2021 changed the trajectory of his life for the worse.

Henry Ruggs III was enjoying a night out in Las Vegas, drinking and playing TopGolf. What was meant to be a casual outing turned bloody after he stepped behind the steering wheel of his Corvette and drove it at speeds of 156 mph. He wound up crashing into 23-year-old Tina Tintor’s car, killing her and her dog.

This incident was serious, and Ruggs III was sentenced to 126 months in prison after he took a plea deal. Thus ended his NFL career as the Raiders released him, and he went from being a player everyone rooted for to one that nobody wanted to hear of. Time has elapsed since the fateful incident, and in a year, Ruggs III will be eligible for parole.

Although his NFL counterparts no longer wish to be affiliated with him, one former teammate has stood by him during this difficult time. Packers’ running back Josh Jacobs, who played alongside Ruggs at Alabama and Las Vegas, continues to stay in touch with him and his family. Their friendship began before either of them was in the NFL, and their families have gotten closer over the years.

In his recent appearance on the Pivot Podcast, Jacobs spoke about Ruggs and how the wideout has repented for his crimes. Jacobs mentioned that the wide receiver has not given up on his dreams of playing in the NFL. He spends his free time training and remains disciplined while introspecting on his actions.

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Henry Ruggs III continues to train for an NFL comeback

Jacobs, during the discussions, mentioned that he was scheduled to hang out with Ruggs III on the night of the crash, but he chose to stay in hours before the accident. Josh Jacobs has been a good friend and has taken the trouble of helping Ruggs III, his wife, and children to stay strong.

Keeping up with him and hearing him talk… it brings me spirits, because he’s always positive. He’s positive about everything. He’s training. They let him train and things like that, so I’m like, ‘When you come out, man, I don’t know if you will get a chance‘.
Josh Jacobs said

Henry Ruggs III and Josh Jacobs (Image Credits: L-via Open Source, R-via IMAGO)

It is good to hear that Ruggs III has changed for the positive, but it may be a case of too little, too late. The damage has been done, and in a league such as the NFL, no matter how good a player is, a slip-up of this magnitude means that their playing days are done.

I’ve been talking to some people for him. They’ve been saying a couple of teams are willing to give him a chance. I’m like, ‘When you get a chance, man, you better not ever-don’t look back, and prove to yourself and prove to everybody that one decision don’t define you and who you are as a man.
Josh Jacobs said

Jacobs has been putting the idea of bringing Ruggs back into the NFL. He has spoken to scouts and general managers regarding the same, and there is a ray of hope.

There is no reason that Ruggs should be kept outside the NFL, considering he has served his penance. However, the likelihood of him stepping onto the field is very low. NFL teams value talent, but in this case, they will analyze whether the pros outweigh the cons.

The concern would be the public reaction. Ruggs is on record as having committed the crime, and for many, the last thing they’d cheer for is such a man getting a chance to make millions despite having served his time in prison.

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#About the Author

Sumedh Joshi

(2446 Articles Published)

Sumedh Joshi is an NFL writer at FirstSportz. With over three years of experience as a content writer, his foray into the area began with a brief stint for a tech-based blog. He began to actively curate engaging content that goes beyond informing the reader of the latest updates. Subsequently, he found his interest in football and has since covered the NFL actively. Sumedh holds a Bachelors in Commerce and LLB degree from St. Joseph's College of Law. He cherishes the idea of introducing his readers to different perspectives on any given topic. Sumedh believes there is more than just one side to every story and it is his role to convey the same to the audience. A lifetime sports fanatic, Sumedh is also passionate about the NBA and enjoys working out, reading, and introspecting in his leisure time.

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