Nearly four years after a tragic car crash that ended a promising NFL career and claimed the life of a young woman and her dog, Henry Ruggs III made his first public remarks outside of court about the incident. On June 17, 2025, the former Alabama and Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver was granted a special release from prison to speak at a Hope for Prisoners event in Las Vegas. It was a somber moment, one filled with remorse and reflection.
Ruggs, now 26, pleaded guilty to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter following the November 2021 crash that killed Tina Tintor, 23, and her dog Max. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of November 2, 2021, when Ruggs was driving his Corvette at nearly 160 miles per hour on Rainbow Boulevard near Spring Valley Parkway before colliding with Tintor’s car.
“I wish that I could turn back the hands of time,” Ruggs told the gathering, which included former prisoners in Las Vegas and current inmates at several Nevada Department of Corrections facilities via virtual connection. “I would love for them to meet the real Henry Ruggs and not the one that was escaping from something.” His speech was facilitated by Jon Ponder, founder of Hope for Prisoners, a nonprofit dedicated to helping inmates reintegrate into society.
Expressing deep sorrow, Ruggs apologized not only for his role in the fatal crash but also for the constant media attention that keeps the tragedy in the public eye. “I sincerely apologize for not only being a part of that situation but the fact that my face is always in the news, in the newspaper, so they have to constantly be reminded of the situation, be reminded of me,” he said. “Those memories have to continue to arise because of all the fan base and notoriety that I have, which I never asked for, I never liked.”
Ruggs’ remarks marked his first known public comments about the crash since his sentencing in August 2023. At that hearing, he apologized to Tintor’s family, acknowledging that his actions were “not a true reflection of me” and that he had “no excuse for the crash.”
Tina Tintor’s family has expressed the profound pain caused by the loss. Daniel Strbac, Tintor’s cousin, read a statement from her mother, Mirjana Komazec, describing the grief as “a pain we feel every day” and calling the loss “every parent’s worst nightmare.” Tintor’s uncle, Pedja Komazec, declined to comment extensively on Ruggs’ recent speech, saying, “I have a lot of things to say, but just to say a couple words is not enough.”
Before the crash, Ruggs was a rising star in the NFL. Selected as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2020 draft, he was the Las Vegas Raiders’ first-ever draft pick after the team relocated to the city. During his two years with the Raiders, Ruggs showed tremendous promise with 50 receptions for 921 yards and four touchdowns, along with additional rushing and return yards. By the 2021 season, through seven games, he had already recorded 24 receptions for nearly 500 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as the team’s premier deep threat.
However, Ruggs’ life took a dramatic turn that November night. He reflected candidly on the pressures he faced as a young NFL player with a multimillion-dollar contract in a new city. “I wish I would have stayed home that night instead of going out drinking,” he said during the Hope for Prisoners event. “I used drinking as a way to escape those pressures. I didn’t pay attention to the help that I had in front of me because I knew it all.”
Since his incarceration, Ruggs described his experience as humbling. Initially booked at High Desert State Prison, he was transferred to Stewart Conservation Camp in northern Nevada after one month, and later, in November 2024, to the Casa Grande Transitional Housing unit in Las Vegas. There, he participates in a work release program less than a mile from Allegiant Stadium, the Raiders’ home field. He will be eligible for parole on August 6, 2026.
Inside prison, Ruggs has adopted a new persona. “If they call me ‘Henry’ or ‘Ruggs,’ I don’t even respond,” he said. “I don’t turn or acknowledge them because that’s not who I am right now.” He has grown in his faith, meditates regularly, and has spent considerable time planning for life after release. “I’m still figuring out who I am now,” he admitted, “but I want to help people when I’m out.”
Despite the tragedy that altered his path, Ruggs expressed a desire to return to football. “Yes, I would love to,” he said when asked if he wanted another shot in the NFL. “I’m in this newfound spiritual space, and I’m confident in who I am and what I can do, so when the time comes, I’m sure I’ll be ready.” He even said he would welcome a chance to play again for the Raiders. “Why would I not?” he asked rhetorically. “I don’t feel like I ended on terms that are meaningful to me and my core values. I would love to play again, and what better place to do it than where I started? Not to mention, I was the first-ever pick in Las Vegas.”
Ruggs said he accepted the invitation to speak at Hope for Prisoners because he felt the timing was right to open up about his experiences and share his story as a cautionary tale. His attorney, David Chesnoff, praised Ruggs’ efforts, stating, “We are pleased that Henry is giving back to the community and helping uplift others.”
The Hope for Prisoners program aims to support inmates in their transition to society, focusing on reducing recidivism and fostering personal growth. Ruggs’ participation aligns with these goals, as he seeks to turn a devastating chapter into a message of hope and responsibility.
While the future remains uncertain, Ruggs’ journey—from a celebrated NFL talent to a man confronting the consequences of his actions—serves as a stark reminder of how quickly life can change. His story continues to resonate in Las Vegas and beyond, underscoring the devastating impact of impaired driving and the long road to redemption.
