Henry Ruggs Net Worth
Henry Ruggs has a net worth of $4 million to $5 million as of 2025. The 26-year-old former NFL wide receiver earned his wealth during his brief career with the Las Vegas Raiders before it ended tragically in November 2021.
Ruggs signed a four-year, $16.67 million contract with the Raiders in July 2020, including a $9.68 million signing bonus.
His career ended when he caused a fatal DUI crash on November 2, 2021, killing 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog while driving 156 mph with a blood alcohol content twice the legal limit. The Raiders released him the same day and voided his contract, clawing back approximately $6 million.
Ruggs received only $4.73 million from his contract and earned about $11 million total during his NFL career. He pleaded guilty to felony DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter in May 2023 and was sentenced to 3-10 years in prison that August. He currently serves his sentence at High Desert State Prison in Nevada and is eligible for parole in 2026.
Quick Facts About Henry Buggs
| Fact | Detail |
| Full Name | Henry James Ruggs III |
| Date of Birth | January 24, 1999 |
| Place of Birth | Montgomery, Alabama, USA |
| Net Worth (2025) | $4 million – $5 million |
| Primary Occupations | Former NFL Wide Receiver |
| Career Span | 2020–2021 |
| Ventures | NFL contract (voided), endorsements (terminated), currently incarcerated |
Who is Henry Ruggs
Henry Ruggs III is a former American professional football wide receiver who played for the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL. Born on January 24, 1999, in Montgomery, Alabama, he was a promising young athlete whose career ended abruptly after a fatal DUI crash in November 2021.
He played college football at Alabama and won the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. Ruggs was the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. His NFL career lasted only 20 games before he killed 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog while driving drunk at 156 mph. He is currently serving 3-10 years in prison.
Early Life and Family
Henry James Ruggs III was born in Montgomery, Alabama, to parents Trunnis and Jackie Ruggs. He has a brother named Kevontae who played college football for Ole Miss before transferring to East Mississippi Community College. Ruggs grew up in a supportive family environment that valued education and sports. His childhood friend Roderic Scott encouraged him to play football in high school.
Scott died in a car crash at age 17, and Ruggs honored him with a three-finger salute after every touchdown because Scott wore number 3 on the basketball court. This personal loss shaped Ruggs’ approach to the game and his motivation.
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High School and College Career
Ruggs attended Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery, Alabama. He was a three-sport star in football, basketball, and track. He did not play high school football until his junior year and received his first scholarship offer after just his second game. As a senior, he had 38 catches for 639 yards and scored 20 touchdowns across different ways. His 100-meter dash time of 10.58 seconds set the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 7A record. At the University of Alabama, Ruggs played from 2017 to 2019.
As a freshman, he caught 12 passes for 229 yards and six touchdowns. In 2018, he had 46 receptions for 741 yards and 11 touchdowns. His junior year saw 40 receptions for 746 yards and seven touchdowns. He was named consensus All-American and SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. He declared for the 2020 NFL Draft after his junior year.
2020 NFL Draft
Henry Ruggs ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine, the fastest time by any prospect that year by .08 seconds. It tied for the fourth-fastest ever at the combine since electronic timing began in 1999. His vertical jump measured 42 inches, tied for second-best among wide receivers.
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Ruggs with the 12th overall pick in the first round. He was the first wide receiver drafted in 2020. He was also the Raiders’ second consecutive first-round pick from Alabama, following running back Josh Jacobs in 2019. The Raiders chose Ruggs for his blazing speed and ability to stretch the field.
Las Vegas Raiders Contract
On July 21, 2020, Henry Ruggs signed a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth $16.67 million with the Las Vegas Raiders. The deal included a team option for a fifth year. His signing bonus was $9.68 million. In 2021, he earned a $607,000 base salary and a $2.4 million signing bonus. He was meant to earn $4.8 million in 2022. After the Raiders voided the contract following the fatal crash, approximately $6 million of the signing bonus was clawed back.
Ruggs received an estimated total of $4.73 million from the contract. Since Las Vegas is in Nevada, a state with zero income taxes, he netted around $2.85 million after federal taxes, agent fees, and other expenses, not including legal costs.
NFL Career and Performance
Ruggs made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, in the season opener against the Carolina Panthers. During Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs, he recorded his first 100-yard game with 118 receiving yards, including his first career touchdown on a 72-yard reception. In his 2020 rookie season, he finished with 26 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games.
In the 2021 season, he had 24 receptions for 469 yards and two touchdowns in seven games before the crash. His less-than-two-season stint with the Raiders totaled 20 games, 1,197 all-purpose yards, and four touchdowns. He showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency and injuries. His career ended before he could fully develop his potential.
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Fatal DUI Crash
On November 2, 2021, at approximately 3:39 a.m., Henry Ruggs crashed his Chevrolet Corvette into a Toyota RAV4 driven by 23-year-old Tina Tintor in Spring Valley, outside Las Vegas. Police evidence showed Ruggs was driving 156 miles per hour and going 120 mph when he hit Tintor’s car, which was stopped at a red light. Tintor and her golden retriever Max burned to death as her vehicle was engulfed in flames.
Hours before the crash, Ruggs and his girlfriend Kiara Kilgo-Washington were seen drinking at a Topgolf location on the Las Vegas Strip. His blood test taken two hours after the crash revealed a blood alcohol content of 0.161%, more than twice Nevada’s legal limit of 0.08%. Ruggs and Kilgo-Washington were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Criminal Charges and Sentencing
Upon his release from the hospital, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested Ruggs and booked him into Clark County Detention Center. He was charged with DUI resulting in death and reckless driving. Judge Joe M. Bonaventure set bail at $150,000. Ruggs refused to take a field sobriety test due to injuries. His defense attorney argued the blood test should not be admissible, but Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman ruled it admissible as evidence.
On May 10, 2023, Ruggs pleaded guilty to one count of felony DUI resulting in death and one count of misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. Prosecutors reached a plea deal due to concerns about the blood draw evidence. On August 9, 2023, he was sentenced to 3-10 years at High Desert State Prison in Nevada. He is eligible for parole in 2026.
Henry Ruggs Net Worth 2025
Henry Ruggs has an estimated net worth between $4 million and $5 million as of 2025. His wealth comes primarily from his brief NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders. His total career earnings were approximately $11 million before the contract termination. After the Raiders voided his contract, he received only $4.73 million instead of the full $16.67 million.
After federal taxes, agent fees, and other expenses, he netted approximately $2.85 million from his NFL contract. His legal expenses related to the fatal crash significantly reduced his net worth. He lost all endorsement deals after the accident. While incarcerated, he earns approximately $2.50 per hour through Nevada’s community trustee inmate program. His net worth is substantially lower than it would have been had his career continued.
Contract Termination and Financial Loss
The Las Vegas Raiders released Henry Ruggs on November 2, 2021, the same day as the fatal crash. The team voided and terminated his four-year, $16.67 million contract. The Raiders clawed back approximately $6 million of future salary guarantees. They also recovered most of his $9.68 million signing bonus. Ruggs received only about $4.73 million total from the contract, losing almost 72% of the total value.
He was meant to earn $4.8 million in 2022, which he forfeited. His total career earnings dropped to approximately $11 million instead of the projected $16.67 million. The contract termination cost him millions in future guaranteed money. His financial loss also includes legal fees for his criminal defense. Raiders owner Mark Davis said they released Ruggs the football player but would still help him as a person.
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Lost Endorsements
In March 2020, shortly after recording his record-breaking 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, Ruggs signed an endorsement deal with Adidas. The campaign used the tagline “Only the fastest join the three stripes,” fitting his blazing speed. After the fatal DUI crash, Adidas immediately terminated the partnership. He also lost endorsement deals with multiple other brands including Bose, Bleacher Report, Subway, Verizon, Foco, Rocket Mortgage, The Players Tribune, Fanatics, Panini America, Secret Lab, Old Spice, and DC4L Custom Tees.
All sponsors cut ties due to the legal consequences and negative publicity. The exact value of these endorsement deals was never publicly disclosed. The lost endorsements significantly impacted his earning potential. He went from a rising star with growing sponsorship opportunities to having zero brand partnerships.
Current Prison Sentence
Henry Ruggs is currently serving his sentence at Casa Grande Transitional Housing, a facility near Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He works at Nevada Correctional Centre through the community trustee inmate program. He earns approximately $2.50 per hour working in government offices. By 2024, Ruggs was working at the Nevada Governor’s Mansion as part of the program. He receives credit for time served as part of his work program.
Ruggs is eligible for parole in 2026 after serving the minimum three years. Reports indicate he trains daily while incarcerated and remains hopeful for a potential NFL comeback. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years if parole is denied. His early release depends on behavior and parole board decisions.
Personal Life and Relationships
Henry Ruggs has been in a long-term relationship with Kiara Kilgo-Washington since high school. On May 7, 2020, they welcomed their daughter. Kiara was in the car with Ruggs during the fatal crash and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. She supported him throughout the legal proceedings and remains with him during his incarceration.
Before the crash, Ruggs partnered with Three Square, a southern Nevada food bank, to donate meals during the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. His childhood friend Roderic Scott, who encouraged him to play football, died in a car crash at age 17. Ruggs honored Scott by giving a three-finger salute after every touchdown. He maintains close relationships with his family during his prison sentence.
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Physical Attributes
Henry Ruggs stands 5 feet 11 inches tall, which is approximately 1.80 meters. He weighs 188 pounds or 85 kilograms. His athletic build was ideal for a wide receiver position. His most notable physical attribute was his exceptional speed. His 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Combine demonstrated elite acceleration. His vertical jump measured 42 inches, showing explosive lower body power.
His broad jump reached 10 feet 11 inches. His hand span measured 10.125 inches, and his arm length was 30.5 inches. These measurements placed him among the top athletes in his draft class. His speed was his most valuable asset on the football field.
Public Response and Reactions
The Las Vegas Raiders released Ruggs hours after the crash on November 2, 2021. Former teammate Derek Carr said Ruggs needs to be loved and stated he would support him if no one else would. Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia expressed sincere condolences to the victim’s family.
New York Giants player Kadarius Toney drew criticism for tweeting that young people make mistakes and not to drag Ruggs for it. Alabama coach Nick Saban said they would support Ruggs but also had compassion for the victims. Former Alabama teammates Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts expressed disbelief and sadness. Tagovailoa said he never thought Ruggs could hurt anyone.
Most public reaction focused on sympathy for Tina Tintor and her family rather than Ruggs. Many fans and analysts called the incident preventable and senseless.
Income Sources and Earnings
| Revenue Source | Amount |
| Las Vegas Raiders Contract (Total) | $16.67 million (voided) |
| Amount Actually Received | $4.73 million |
| 2020 Salary | $607,000 |
| 2021 Salary | $607,000 |
| Signing Bonus | $9.68 million |
| Amount Clawed Back | $6 million |
| Net After Taxes and Fees | $2.85 million |
| Total Career Earnings | $11 million |
| Current Prison Wages | $2.50 per hour |
Comparison with Other Former NFL Players
| Name | Net Worth | Career | Reason for Career End | Years in NFL |
| Henry Ruggs | $4-5 million | Wide Receiver | Fatal DUI crash | 2 seasons |
| Aaron Hernandez | $50,000 (at death) | Tight End | Murder conviction | 3 seasons |
| Rae Carruth | $10,000 | Wide Receiver | Murder conspiracy | 4 seasons |
| Plaxico Burress | $1 million | Wide Receiver | Gun charges | 12 seasons |
Faqs About Henry Ruggs
Conclusion
Henry Ruggs had a promising NFL career with a net worth of $4-5 million, but his future was destroyed by a fatal DUI crash in November 2021. He lost his $16.67 million contract, all endorsements, and his freedom. After receiving only $4.73 million from his Raiders deal, he now serves 3-10 years in prison, earning $2.50 per hour. His story serves as a tragic reminder that poor decisions can cost everything, including an innocent life.
