Henry Ruggs III, a former NFL player for the Las Vegas Raiders, faced parole denial by the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners. Despite claims of personal improvement and remorse following a fatal car crash in 2021, the board decided against granting him parole.
Ruggs will remain incarcerated until a potential release in 2027. His supporters emphasized his regret and participation in rehabilitation efforts, but these were not sufficient for parole eligibility.
In 2021, Ruggs drove at speeds up to 156 mph, resulting in a crash that took the lives of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog. He was legally intoxicated at the time, with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit.
After the incident, Ruggs pleaded guilty to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He received a prison sentence ranging from three to ten years in August 2023.
While incarcerated, Ruggs earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama and engaged in work programs, including a position at the Nevada governor’s mansion. However, this did not sway the parole board’s decision.
The board announced that Ruggs can apply for parole again three months before August 24, 2027, as shared by Kathi Baker, the board’s executive director. Until then, his return to the NFL remains uncertain.