Henry Ruggs is a former American football player who played as a wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). He was a star player in college and was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
However, his career was cut short after he caused a fatal car crash in 2021 that resulted in his release from the Raiders and his conviction for DUI and manslaughter. As of 2023, Henry Ruggs net worth is estimated to be around $5.5 million.
Henry Ruggs’ Career and Achievements
Early Years and College Career
Henry Ruggs was born on January 24, 1999, in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended Robert E. Lee High School, where he played football, basketball, and ran track. He was a late bloomer in football, as he did not play until his junior year. He received his first scholarship offer after just his second game on the field. He was ranked as the second-best high school football player in Alabama by 247Sports.com. He chose to play college football at the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the team that won the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship.
At Alabama, Ruggs played as a wide receiver from 2017 to 2019. He had a total of 98 receptions for 1,716 yards and 24 touchdowns in his college career. He also returned kicks and averaged 23.8 yards per return in his junior season. His 24 career receiving touchdowns placed him third on Alabama’s all-time leaderboard. He was known for his blazing speed, as he ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, the fastest among all participants in 2020. He decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft.
NFL Professional Career and Statistics
Ruggs was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 12th overall pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He was the first wide receiver taken in the draft. He signed a four-year contract with the Raiders worth $16.67 million, with a team option for a fifth year. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, against the Carolina Panthers, where he had three catches for 55 yards.
In his rookie season, Ruggs played in 13 games and started in 12. He had 26 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns. He also had nine rushes for 49 yards and one touchdown. He led the team in yards per reception with 17.4. In his second season, Ruggs played in seven games and started in six. He had 24 receptions for 469 yards and two touchdowns. He also had two rushes for 16 yards. He led the team in receiving yards and ranked second in receiving touchdowns.
Ruggs’ NFL career statistics are as follows:
Season | Team | Games | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Receiving Touchdowns | Rushes | Rushing Yards | Rushing Touchdowns |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | LV | 13 | 26 | 452 | 2 | 9 | 49 | 1 |
2021 | LV | 7 | 24 | 469 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 0 |
Total | – | 20 | 50 | 921 | 4 | 11 | 65 | 1 |
Henry Ruggs’ Net Worth and Income
Sources of Income (Contracts, endorsements, Brand deals)
Ruggs’ main source of income was his salary as a professional football player. His four-year contract with the Raiders was fully guaranteed and worth $16.67 million, including an $8.1 million signing bonus. His base salary for the first two years was $610,000 and $1,367,801 respectively. However, after his release from the Raiders on November 2, 2021, following his car accident, he forfeited his remaining guaranteed money and future earnings from the team.
Ruggs also had some income from endorsements and brand deals. In April 2020, he signed a deal with Adidas and became one of their ambassadors. He also collaborated with Adidas to create his own shoe line, the Adidas Superstar WS2 Henry Ruggs III Bold Blue. The details of his deal with Adidas are not disclosed, but it is likely that he received some royalties from the sales of his shoes. Ruggs also had a partnership with Panini America, a sports card company, and appeared in their commercials and products.
Estimated Net Worth in 2023
As of 2023, Ruggs’ net worth is estimated to be around $5.5 million. This is based on his earnings from his NFL contract, his endorsements, and his investments. Ruggs has not revealed much about his personal finances, but he has shown some signs of wealth and luxury. He owns a Lamborghini Huracan, which costs around $200,000. He also bought a house in Las Vegas for $1.1 million in 2020. He has also donated some money to charity, such as $10,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada in 2020.
However, Ruggs’ net worth could also be affected by his legal troubles and expenses. He faces a potential prison sentence of three to ten years for his DUI and manslaughter charges. He also faces a civil lawsuit from the family of the victim, Tina Tintor, who is seeking unspecified damages for wrongful death and emotional distress. Ruggs will have to pay for his legal fees and possible settlements or judgments. He may also lose some of his endorsement deals and sponsorships due to his tarnished reputation and image.
Personal Life and Controversies
Age, Height, and Relationships
Ruggs is 24 years old as of 2023. He was born on January 24, 1999. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 188 pounds. He has a tattoo of his late friend Rod Scott on his chest, who died in a car accident in 2016.
Ruggs is in a relationship with Rudy Washington, who is also from Montgomery, Alabama. They have been dating since high school and have a daughter together, Hennessy Ruggs, who was born in 2019. Washington was also in the car with Ruggs during the fatal crash in 2021 and suffered serious injuries.
Car Accident Controversy
Ruggs wrecked his Lamborghini at 156 mph on Rainbow Boulevard in Las Vegas at 3:40 a.m. on November 2, 2021, into the back of a Toyota RAV4 driven by 23-year-old Tina Tintor. The crash burned the Toyota, killing Tintor and her dog Max. The injury sent Ruggs and Washington to the hospital. Ruggs’ blood alcohol level was 0.161%, double Nevada’s limit. He had a loaded rifle in his vehicle.
Ruggs was arrested for DUI causing death and dangerous driving. He was freed on $150,000 bond and put under home arrest with an ankle monitor. He was told to abstain from drinking and drugs and not drive. Ruggs was released by the Raiders the following day.
A plea arrangement with prosecutors saw Ruggs plead guilty to both counts on May 10, 2023. He received a three-to-ten-year Nevada Department of Corrections term. He had to repay Tintor’s family and complete alcohol therapy and community service following his release.
Public and media outrage followed Ruggs’ vehicle tragedy. Many sympathized with Tintor’s family and raged at Ruggs’ recklessness and indifference. Former NFL players and experts challenged young athletes to be more responsible with their lives and careers.
Social Media Presence
Ruggs has an active social media presence on Instagram and Twitter. He has over 300,000 followers on Instagram [@ruggs_iii] and over 100,000 followers on Twitter [@__RUGGS]. He posts photos and videos of his family, friends, football career, hobbies, and travels. He also interacts with his fans and supporters through comments and messages.
However, after his car accident, Ruggs deleted all his posts on Instagram except for one that shows him holding his daughter. He also changed his bio to read “God’s Plan” with a praying emoji. He has not posted anything on Twitter since October 31, 2021.