Former Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III has issued a public apology to the family of Tina Tintor, the 23-year-old woman tragically killed in a 2021 DUI crash involving the NFL player.
Ruggs, 26, made the remarks during a special appearance at Hope for Prisoners, a Las Vegas-based nonprofit that helps formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society.
The somber event marked one of the first times Ruggs publicly addressed the devastating incident since accepting a plea deal in 2023, which sentenced him to three to ten years in prison.
Henry Ruggs Spoke At An Event In Las Vegas
Standing in front of a room filled with community members, Ruggs expressed deep regret and remorse over the crash that took Tintor and her dog’s life in the early morning hours of November 2, 2021.
Ruggs said,
“I would love for them to meet the real Henry Ruggs and not the one that was escaping from something. I sincerely apologize for not only being a part of that situation, but also for the fact that my face is always in the news. So, they have to constantly be reminded of the situation… reminded of me. I wish I could turn back the hands of time.”
Tintor’s family has largely remained out of the public eye, but Ruggs acknowledged the pain he continues to cause them by simply existing in the spotlight.
Henry Ruggs’ Accident Claimed The Life Of A Young Girl
On the night of the accident, Henry Ruggs was driving his Corvette at 156 mph before slamming into Tintor’s SUV.
The impact caused a fiery crash that claimed the lives of Tintor and her pet dog.
Authorities revealed Ruggs had a blood alcohol content of 0.16, twice the legal limit in Nevada.
Just days earlier, Ruggs had played a game for the Las Vegas Raiders, where he was seen as a rising star.
The team released Ruggs shortly after the incident, cutting ties with their 2020 first-round pick who had amassed 921 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in just 20 NFL games.
Henry Ruggs Has Expressed His Desire To Return
Now incarcerated but placed in a transitional housing unit less than a mile from Allegiant Stadium, Ruggs claims to have undergone personal growth — mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
He said at the event,
“I’m in this newfound spiritual space, and I’m confident in who I am and what I can do. If I get the chance to return, I’ll be ready. I don’t feel like I ended my career on terms that are meaningful to my core values.”
Henry Ruggs only has 98 career catches.
— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 22, 2020
24 of those have resulted in TDs.pic.twitter.com/LDwrTS0VB5
Ruggs even expressed interest in returning to the NFL, and possibly rejoining the Raiders if given the chance.
“What better place to do it than where I started? I was the first-ever pick in Las Vegas.”
Ruggs is eligible for parole on August 6, 2026, and former teammates, including Josh Jacobs, have reportedly spoken to NFL teams about giving him a second chance.
Despite his remorse and public apology, the pain and impact of Ruggs’ actions remain.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT YOUR TEAM SIGNING HENRY RUGGS FOR THE 2026 #NFL SEASON?
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 18, 2025
Ruggs has served his prison sentence with a perfect conduct record; he is only 26 years old and will be eligible to return to the NFL. pic.twitter.com/sA64dw2wbv
Whether or not Ruggs receives another opportunity in football, the tragedy he caused will forever follow him and haunt the family of the woman he killed.
As of now, Tina Tintor’s family has not issued a public response to Ruggs’ latest remarks.
