Will Henry Ruggs’s Net Worth Increase After Parole in August 2026?

Henry Ruggs’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million as of 2025, and the figure comes mainly from guaranteed NFL contract money, signing bonus payments, early endorsement income, and investment growth secured before his career ended.

His life changed dramatically after the tragic 2021 DUI crash that resulted in the death of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog, and his legal consequences ended his NFL career immediately.Ruggs remains a public figure because of ongoing discussions about accountability, rehabilitation, and the impact of his actions, and new information about his behavior in prison continues to surface through 2025.

Ruggs has publicly stated that he wants to attempt a comeback and has reportedly been working out and talking about returning to the game. He is eligible for parole in August 2026, which means legally he could be free to pursue a return to football after that date. There are reports of NFL team interest in him after his release. However, his comeback may be difficult.

Even if eligible, teams would face major public-relations and legal hurdles in signing him. NFL rules, public perception, and his long time away from the game make a successful comeback very challenging.

Breakdown of his net worth:

Source	Est. Annual Income (USD)	Lifetime Contribution (USD)	Notes
NFL Contract & Signing Bonus	N/A (career ended)	$6,000,000	Based on guaranteed portions after taxes and fees
Endorsements	N/A	$1,000,000	Pre-2021 sponsorship income
Investments & Assets	$100,000 (growth)	$1,000,000	Conservative estimate from early-career investments
Total Net Worth (2025)	—	$4,000,000	Rounded estimate including investments and property

Brief Introduction

Henry Ruggs (full name Henry James Ruggs III) became known as one of the fastest players to enter the NFL in recent decades, and he built early fame through explosive college performances at Alabama and a strong start with the Las Vegas Raiders. His career reached national attention quickly because his speed created highlight-worthy plays, and his future appeared bright before the fatal crash changed his life forever.

Ruggs gained fame for his record-level speed. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds at the NFL Combine, which instantly made him one of the fastest players ever tested.

Birth Date	January 24, 1999
Age	26 (as of 2025)
Nationality	American
Profession	Former NFL Player
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Education	University of Alabama
Residence	Nevada Department of Corrections
Marital Status	In a relationship
Girlfriend	Kiara Washington
Children	1 Daughter (born 2020)
Estimated Net Worth (2025)	$4 Million
Social Accounts	Instagram: @ruggs_iii

Sources of Income

Henry Ruggs earned most of his wealth before 2021, and he preserved part of it because guaranteed contract terms protected several payments. His net worth today reflects savings, investment growth, and the portion of his NFL earnings that remained intact after legal expenses and settlements.

NFL Contract Earnings – around $9 Million total

Ruggs signed a four-year, $16.7 million fully guaranteed contract with the Raiders in 2020. The agreement included a $9.6 million signing bonus, which he received upfront. Even after his release in 2021, he retained significant portions of the guaranteed payout because signing bonuses are paid immediately and cannot be revoked except under rare conditions.

Financial analysts estimate that Ruggs kept between $4 and $6 million after taxes, agent fees, and legal costs, a portion of which was protected due to his ability to secure a favorable plea deal that helped him avoid a protracted and potentially financially catastrophic civil trial.

Endorsement Deals – around $150,000 to $300,000 per year (at peak)

Before his arrest, Ruggs worked with several athletic and lifestyle brands. Companies valued his speed and rising profile, and they offered appearance fees and short-term promotional contracts. His endorsement income never reached superstar levels, yet he still earned a meaningful amount that contributed to early savings.

Several deals ended immediately after the crash, and he has no endorsement income today. His earlier partnerships, however, paid enough to add to his long-term assets and strengthen his financial base during his short NFL career.

Investments and Savings – estimated $1 Million preserved value

Ruggs invested part of his NFL income into mutual funds and property in Alabama. Even without new income streams, those investments have grown modestly through interest and stock appreciation. Conservative growth estimates of 3–5% per year would yield an additional $100,000–$200,000 annually.

While he has faced legal expenses, financial experts believe his advisors managed to protect his principal assets early on.

High School and College Beginnings

Ruggs grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and played football at Robert E. Lee High School. His speed set him apart immediately and pushed him into statewide recognition, and his All-State performances led to major recruitment interest. He joined the University of Alabama in 2017 and played under coach Nick Saban, becoming known for deep-threat plays that shifted game momentum.

From 2017 to 2019, Ruggs became one of the most electrifying receivers in college football. His speed remained his defining trait because he consistently created separation that few defenders could match. His college success raised his NFL Draft stock quickly, and he became one of the fastest players ever recorded at the NFL Combine.

Draft and Rise with the Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Ruggs with the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Fans and analysts expected him to become the team’s primary deep receiver, and his rookie season displayed that potential through long catches and critical scoring plays. He started 13 games in 2020 and entered 2021 with rising momentum.

By the fall of 2021, Ruggs appeared ready for a breakout season. His yards per catch were among the highest in the league, and commentators praised his refinement in route running. The Raiders built game plans around his speed, and his upward trajectory suggested he could become one of the NFL’s top receivers.

The 2021 Crash and End of His NFL Career

Everything changed on November 2, 2021, when Ruggs drove at high speed in Las Vegas and crashed into a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Tina Tintor, killing her and her dog.

• Ruggs was arrested and charged with DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. Evidence showed he was driving his Corvette at 156 mph just moments before the crash, with a blood-alcohol level of 0.16%, more than twice the legal limit.

• The victim, Tina Tintor, was a refugee from Serbia who had recently become a U.S. citizen and was working toward her business degree.

• The tragedy was a massive emotional blow that shattered the Raiders’ locker room culture and became a dark turning point in the team’s public reputation in Las Vegas.

• In August 2023, Ruggs pleaded guilty to DUI causing death and vehicular manslaughter and received a 3-to-10-year sentence. The Raiders released him the same day, ending his NFL career permanently.

Personal Life

Ruggs was raised by his mother, Nataki, who encouraged his athletic pursuits after the death of his childhood friend Roderic Scott, whose memory motivated Ruggs throughout his life.

He dated Kiara Washington for several years. They had a daughter together, born in 2020. Their relationship seemed strong during his rookie NFL seasons, and social media posts often featured their growing family. The accident in 2021 deeply affected them and lead to emotional and legal challenges.

Where is Henry Ruggs Now

In 2025, Henry Ruggs remains incarcerated in Nevada and focuses on rehabilitation programs. He participates in courses that cover life management, substance awareness, and victim-impact education, and he attends counseling designed to address emotional accountability. Reports from the Nevada Department of Corrections describe him as a model inmate, and he has avoided disciplinary issues since entering the facility.

Ruggs has expressed remorse for the crash and apologized publicly to the Tintor family during his sentencing. He has told counselors and program leaders that he hopes to speak to young athletes after his release, and he wants to help others avoid the mistakes that destroyed his career. Media producers have shown interest in documenting his story after he leaves prison, and several sports journalists continue following his rehabilitation progress.

His NFL career remains over because legal consequences and public response make a return impossible. His focus now is rebuilding his life, staying present for his daughter, and completing every requirement of his sentence while preparing for a future shaped by accountability.

Will Henry Ruggs play football again?

Henry Ruggs could return to the NFL under league rules, but the chances are extremely small due to public backlash, long time away from football, and the seriousness of the crime. Most analysts believe his NFL career is permanently over, even though reinstatement is not legally prohibited.

1. NFL Rules: Is Ruggs Legally Allowed to Return? — YES (technically)

There is no NFL rule that permanently bans a player from returning after:

• serving a prison sentence

• being convicted of a felony

• being released by a team

• being removed from the league for conduct reasons

A player can return if:

1. He completes his sentence

2. He applies for NFL reinstatement (if placed on the Commissioner Exempt List)

3. A team is willing to sign him

So legally and procedurally, Henry Ruggs can return, because the NFL has no automatic lifetime ban for felony DUI.

BUT the rules only allow it — they do not make it realistic.

2. Real-World Barriers: Why a Comeback Is Highly Unlikely

Even though it’s legally possible, his return is extremely unlikely, for several reasons:

A. Public relations backlash for any NFL team

Teams have refused to sign players with much smaller scandals. Signing Ruggs would trigger:

• protests

• media outrage

• sponsor pressure

• fan backlash

Most teams will not risk that.

B. Long gap without playing

By earliest parole (August 2026), Ruggs will have missed 5 NFL seasons.
Wide receivers lose:

• speed

• timing

• explosiveness

• conditioning

Even elite athletes struggle after 2 years away — five years is nearly impossible.

C. The nature of the crime

The 2021 crash resulted in the death of Tina Tintor (23) and her dog Max.
This makes his case far more serious than other reinstatement attempts.

D. NFL precedent

No modern NFL player has returned to the league after:

• killing someone

• serving a multi-year prison sentence

• facing felony DUI resulting in death

The NFL has never reinstated a comparable case.

3. NFL Precedent — What Past Cases Show

The closest comparison is Donte Stallworth, but his case differs:

• He served less than a month

• He paid a massive settlement

• The victim’s family supported a second chance

Ruggs’s sentence is much longer, and the circumstances are considered far more severe.

FAQs

How did Henry Ruggs make his money?

Henry Ruggs earned most of his money through his NFL contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. He also added income through signing bonuses and endorsements.

Was Henry Ruggs a top NFL player?

At his peak, Ruggs was seen as one of the NFL’s fastest and most promising young receivers. His early performances drew major attention before his career ended abruptly.

What happened to Henry Ruggs in 2021?

In 2021, Ruggs was involved in a high-speed crash that killed a woman and her pet. He pled guilty to DUI charges and received a prison sentence.

Where does Henry Ruggs live now?

As of 2025, he is still serving his sentence in Nevada. Upon release, he is expected to return to Alabama, where his family lives.

What is Henry Ruggs’s net worth in 2025?

Henry Ruggs’s net worth is about $4 million in 2025, based on remaining assets, previous earnings, and investment returns.

What is his earliest release date?

His earliest possible release is August 2026, although he could remain incarcerated longer depending on parole review.