On Thursday, the Nevada Board of Parole Commissioners denied parole to Henry Ruggs, the former wide receiver of the Las Vegas Raiders, per ESPN.

During the parole hearing, board commissioner Sandy Schmitt specified that Ruggs' activities would be considered as a mitigating factor in the decision.

"Schmitt added that Ruggs was noncompliant with a travel arrangement last October, an aggravating factor in the board's decision," Elizabeth Merrill and Anthony Olivieri of ESPN reported June 12.

Ruggs will be eligible for parole on August 24, 2027 and could appear before the board in May next year.

"Ruggs, 27, was seeking his release on the earliest eligible date, Aug. 5. He has a right to appeal the decision. Unless he appeals and is granted parole, he will become eligible again in roughly a year, the spokesperson said," Vic Tafur of the Athletic reported June 12.

This decision comes three years into his sentence, wherein the Raiders’ 2020 Draft pick was the driver in a drunken and high-speed crash that k***** 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog in 2021.

The 27-year-old had previously appeared in front of the board in May when he took responsibility for the incident. 

“Not a minute goes by where I don't think of the pain I caused her family, her friends and the Las Vegas community,” said Ruggs to the board. “I’m a religious person and I pray for her family every day.”

ESPN reported that the authorities said the WR had reached speeds of up to 156 mph in his Chevrolet Corvette Stingray before slamming into Tintor’s vehicle on November 2, 2021. His sentence for this accident landed him in prison for three to 10 years.

Ruggs’ attorneys issued a statement in light of the current ruling 

“Mr. Ruggs and our office continue to feel the grief and loss suffered by Ms. Tintor’s family,” said attorneys David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld.

Ruggs’ attorneys further added that they were disappointed by the Parole Board’s decision to deny parole despite overwhelming evidence of Ruggs having accepted responsibility for his conduct. 

Ruggs’ Comeback to the NFL, Shared by His Former Teammate

The Las Vegas Raiders picked Henry Ruggs with their No.12 pick during the 2020 NFL Draft. Following his involvement in the fatal crash, the Raiders released him immediately, midway through the 2021 season. 

While his return to the NFL remains unlikely, Ruggs’ former teammate suggested that the WR might make a comeback to the league if and when he’s released from prison. 

Grey Papke of Larry Brown Sports shared that Ruggs’ ex-teammate Josh Jacobs revealed that he maintains contact with the WR and his family. 

“He’s training. They let him train and things like that,” said Jacobs on “The Pivot Podcast”. “I’ve been talking to some people for him. They’ve been saying that a couple of teams are willing to give him a chance.”

In his previous brief NFL career, Ruggs caught 50 passes for 921 yards and four touchdowns.

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Written by

Naomi Grace

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore