The story of Henry Ruggs harshly illustrates how quickly luck may change. Everything changed when he was murdered in a DUI crash on November 2, 2021, even though he was about to make a lot of money in the NFL.
When Ruggs struck a Toyota RAV4 in Las Vegas, he started the entire situation. Tina Tintor, 23, and her dog were killed when he was driving at 156 miles per hour while intoxicated. Overnight, his career took a nosedive. His four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $16.67 million was immediately terminated by the Las Vegas Raiders. His current net worth is approximately $4 million, however some sources suggest it may be as low as $1.5 million. This dramatic decline in value doesn’t fully explain the situation. Due to his 3–10 year prison sentence, potential civil litigation, and legal bills, his career earnings of around $11 million have decreased.
The NFL career of Henry Ruggs and his initial income
Henry Ruggs III was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This was the beginning of his quick ascent to prominence, which would ultimately result in his demise. He had a brief but lucrative job that increased his net worth before legal issues altered his financial trajectory.
selected in the 2020 draft with the 12th overall pick
Ruggs was selected as the first wide receiver by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 12th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He recorded 98 receptions, 1,716 yards, and 24 touchdowns in his three years at Alabama—all excellent stats. NFL scouts were unable to ignore his speed. He was the quickest player in that year’s draft class with a speed of 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Details of his $16.67 million initial contract
On July 21, 2020, Ruggs agreed to a four-year, $16.67 million contract with the Raiders. The offer is completely assured. Like other first-round picks, the organization may extend his contract by one year. He had the best chance of any receiver in his draft class, according to NFL analysts, with a 48% likelihood of making the Pro Bowl.
Pay and bonus breakdown
During his brief tenure in the NFL, he earned approximately $11.02 million. He received base compensation of $607,912 the following year and $610,000 in 2020 as a result of the agreement. The Raiders offered him a huge signing bonus of $9.68 million when he signed with them. He received achievement bonuses of $116,626 as part of his package. By the end of his career, Ruggs had gotten roughly 61.8% of his guaranteed money.
20 NFL game scores and stats Ruggs participated in 20 games, starting 19 of them. He has the makings of a first-round player. He scored four runs, gained 921 yards, and caught 50 passes. On 12 runs, he gained an additional 65 yards. He caught 26 passes for 452 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games during his first campaign in 2020. Despite playing just seven games in the second season, he performed better, recording 24 receptions, 469 yards, and two touchdowns before the entire situation put an end to his career.
The 2021 catastrophe and its financial implications
Ruggs’s career ended abruptly in a catastrophic crash, but the financial harm he sustained is still influencing his net worth today and will do so until 2025.
The DUI case timeline
Ruggs was traveling at 156 mph in his Chevrolet Corvette on Rainbow Boulevard in Las Vegas as early as 3:39 a.m. on November 2, 2021. In addition to his girlfriend Kiara Je’nai Kilgo-Washington, he was drinking with buddies at TopGolf. Tina Tintor’s Toyota RAV4 was struck from behind by his vehicle. Following the collision, Tintor’s vehicle caught fire, killing the 23-year-old woman and her dog. According to blood testing, Ruggs’ blood alcohol content was 0.161%, which is twice the Nevada legal limit.
Information regarding the charges and punishment
Ruggs faced multiple felony charges that carried a 50-year prison sentence. At last, he accepted a plea bargain. On May 10, 2023, two charges of DUI causing death were withdrawn against him. Vehicle murder was the other charge. The judge sentenced the individual to 3–10 years in jail on August 9, 2023. The time he spent under house arrest cannot be used to reduce his minimum sentence of three years. He can request release on August 5, 2026, following three years in prison.
immediate termination of the NFL contract
Hours after the collision, Rugged was cut by the Raiders. His chances of getting paid were destroyed by this hasty decision. The team retracted almost $6 million in future guaranteed salary and terminated the remainder of his contract. He only received roughly $4.73 million from the $16.67 million deal he signed. He had almost $2.85 million after taxes.
Loss of sponsors: Overnight, Rugs lost all of his advertising contracts with Adidas. In March 2020, Adidas terminated his contract with them following his impressive 40-yard sprint time of 4.27 seconds at the NFL Combine. Numerous other businesses, like Old Spice and Nike, also terminated their marketing agreements.
Expected settlements and legal costs
Huge court costs resulted from the financial impact. In addition to having to pay $150,000 in bond, Ruggs might also be required to make over $1 million in payments to Tintor’s family. These expenses, in addition to his attorney’s fees, have significantly reduced his income.
In 2025, how much money will Henry Ruggs have left over?
Ruggs lost everything, which made his financial troubles worse. The former NFL player’s life has undergone significant upheaval since he was imprisoned instead of having the opportunity to earn millions of dollars.
Current net worth estimates derived from multiple sources
Regarding Henry Ruggs’ 2025 net worth, a number of financial websites disagree. According to Wikipedia, his net worth is approximately $1 million, while according to Celebrity Net Worth, his net worth is approximately $4 million. He was valued at $5 million at the beginning of 2022. This demonstrates the amount of money he has lost while inside.
What is his remaining income from his job?
During his brief tenure in the NFL, Ruggs received $11.02 million. The Raiders received almost $6 million back after terminating his contract. After taxes, he kept around $2.85 million of the $4.73 million he received from the original transaction. He forfeited future earnings and paid legal fees with the money he had before being found guilty.
The prison employment program in Nevada generates revenue.
In Nevada’s community trustee convict program, Ruggs now only receives $2.50 per hour. During the day, he works in Carson City for the government. Although he receives little pay, he accrues work points that could hasten his release from prison. Until he has served at least three years in prison, he is not eligible to use these points.
To cover legal costs, items were sold.
Ruggs paid $1.1 million for a home near the scene of the plane crash in April 2021. To cover his mounting court costs, he had to liquidate many possessions. Large lawsuits like his typically cost between $500,000 and more than $1 million to defend. After this, he had little money left.
Will Henry Ruggs be able to recoup his investment?
Getting their money back for incarcerated former NFL players depends on a few key factors. While Ruggs is incarcerated, his financial status remains uncertain.
When can we expect him to be granted parole?
Ruggs may petition for release on August 5, 2026. At that point, he will be 27 years old, which is still young enough for him to begin working once more if he leaves. His exemplary behavior while incarcerated may increase his chances of being released early.
The possibility of returning to professional sports
Yes, Ruggs’ desire to play in the NFL is still evident. Former teammate Josh Jacobs claims Ruggs keeps occupied while incarcerated. “He’s exercising.” According to Jacobs, “they let him train and do other things.” Additionally, he stated that “a couple of teams are willing to give him a chance,” indicating that the league is something he is considering.
harm to the company and its reputation
The majority of people still have a bad opinion of Ruggs. There would be a lot of negative publicity for any team that wanted to sign him. It is significantly more difficult for him to make amends because his tale is distinct from other NFL stories because someone died.
Advice from athletes who have encountered legal issues
Others who had run afoul of the law were able to recover financially. After after 18 months in prison, Michael Vick returned to the NFL. Players like Josh Brent, Leonard Little, and Donte Stallworth who were involved in deadly DUI incidents eventually returned to the field. None of them, however, had to spend as much time away from professional sports as Ruggs will.
To sum up
The Henry Ruggs money story demonstrates how easily things may go wrong. His net worth was going to be severely impacted by the money he earned from his NFL contract and endorsements. Its current estimated value ranges from $1.5 million to $4 million. Tina Tintor was killed after he collided at 156 mph while intoxicated. His life was profoundly altered by that accident.
In addition to losing his $16.67 million Raiders contract, he had several financial issues. His $11 million overall income continues to decline as a result of legal fees, bail expenses, and potential civil settlements. His current pay in Nevada’s jail work program is a pittance compared to his NFL salary of $2.50 per hour.
When he is eligible for parole in August 2026, it is impossible to predict how much money he will have. He once played with Josh Jacobs, who claims some NFL teams may give him another opportunity. This is a difficult path to pursue because of the way people are responding to him and the gravity of his offense. His tale differs greatly from those of other athletes who returned to their sport after running afoul of the law.
We now know the awful reality of Ruggs’ situation since he made a poor decision. His story should serve as a lesson to others about responsibility and the short lifespan of a sporting career. Although he is only 27 years old and may be able to change things when he leaves, his financial situation does not appear to be improving.
His 2025 net worth reveals more than simply his financial losses. Ultimately, it’s about unrealized potential, dashed hopes, and an irrevocable life. Being incarcerated after being selected in the first round of the draft demonstrates how poor choices may cost you money, opportunities, and irreparable harm.
1. What is Henry Ruggs’ current net worth? The estimated 2025 net worth of Henry Ruggs is between $1.5 million and $4 million, a significant decrease from his NFL earnings.
2. For what length of time must Henry Ruggs be incarcerated? For his involvement in a deadly DUI accident, Henry Ruggs received a prison sentence ranging from three to ten years. He will be eligible for parole after serving the required minimum of three years.
Q3: Did Henry Ruggs lose all of his NFL earnings? A sizable portion of them, but not all. Ruggs’ $16.67 million agreement brought him around $4.73 million before taxes. Due to lost future income, potential compensation, and legal bills, he is now significantly impoverished.
Q4: Is Henry Ruggs able to go back to playing professional sports? NFL teams may be interested, according to some reports, although Ruggs struggles to return to professional sports due to his poor offense and public perception.
Q5. How does Henry Ruggs earn money while incarcerated? As a community trustee convict in Nevada, Ruggs currently earns $2.50 per hour working in government buildings in Carson City. In addition, he can accrue work credits through this program, which could reduce his maximum sentence.
