Henry Ruggs net worth 2025 after his prison sentence?
Speed kills, but not in the way Henry Ruggs III imagined when he blazed through defenses as a Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver. Once celebrated for running the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds, Ruggs’ life took a devastating turn on a fateful night in November 2021. The fatal accident that claimed Tina Tintor‘s life didn’t just end a promising NFL career—it shattered a multimillion-dollar fortune.
Today, Henry Ruggs net worth 2025 stands at roughly $4 million net worth, a fraction of what could’ve been. His $16.67 million contract with the Raiders vanished overnight following his arrest for a DUI crash. The former first-round draft pick now serves time in Nevada State Prison, reflecting on choices that cost him everything.
This isn’t just another athlete’s downfall story. It’s a stark reminder that talent means nothing without responsibility. Let’s examine how Ruggs went from earning millions to losing it all—and what remains of his wealth after the dust settled.
Profile summary
Henry Ruggs III was born January 24, 1999, in Montgomery Alabama, where his athletic gifts first emerged at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School. Scouts drooled over his speed. Coaches praised his work ethic. The University of Alabama came calling, and Ruggs answered.
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Henry James Ruggs III |
| Date of Birth | January 24, 1999 |
| Age (2025) | 26 Years |
| Birthplace | Montgomery, Alabama |
| College | University of Alabama |
| NFL Team | Las Vegas Raiders |
| Position | Wide Receiver |
| Draft Year | 2020 (12th Overall Pick) |
| Contract Value | $16.67 million (Fully Guaranteed) |
| Signing Bonus | $10.02 million |
| Career Earnings | $4.73 million received |
| Net Worth (2025) | $4 million (estimated) |
| Prison Sentence | 3 to 10 years |
| Girlfriend | Kiara Washington |
| Children | One Daughter |
His jersey number #11 became synonymous with explosive plays. Unfortunately, it’s now linked to tragedy. The 2020 NFL Draft represented the pinnacle of his young life. Raiders management believed they’d found their next superstar deep threat.
What is Henry Ruggs net worth and salary?
Let’s cut through the noise. Henry Ruggs net worth currently hovers around $4 million—a steep decline from his peak earning potential. Before the DUI crash destroyed everything, he’d signed a four-year deal worth $16.67 million with guaranteed money.
His signing bonus alone totaled $10.02 million signing bonus, paid upfront when he joined the Raiders. The base salary exceeded $600,000 annually, positioning him among football’s rising financial elite. But when the Raiders invoked contract termination following his arrest, those future payments evaporated.
Here’s what actually happened to his money:
Ruggs received approximately $4.73 million received before termination. Sounds substantial, right? Not after deductions. Federal taxes claimed a massive chunk at the top bracket. Nevada State Prison doesn’t charge rent, but his legal expenses certainly did. Criminal defense attorneys don’t work cheap—especially in high-profile cases.
After agent fees (typically 3%), income taxes, and mounting legal bills, his take-home dropped to roughly $2.85 million after taxes. The rest of his wealth consists of investments made during his brief professional career and residual savings.
Today, Ruggs draws zero NFL career income. Endorsements disappeared faster than his career. No sponsorship deals. No jersey sales. Just whatever he managed to save before the world came crashing down.
The tragedy isn’t just financial. A young woman lost her life. But the numbers tell their own sobering story about consequences.
NFL Salary and Contracts
The Las Vegas Raiders made Ruggs the 12th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, betting big on his game-changing speed. Management envisioned him stretching defenses and creating mismatches. The $16.67 million contract reflected that confidence—fully guaranteed money for a rookie.
Breaking down his deal:
- Total Value: $16.67 million over four years
- Signing Bonus: $10.02 million (paid immediately)
- Average Annual Salary: $4.16 million
- 2021 Base Salary: $607,000
Had Ruggs fulfilled the contract, his career earnings would’ve surpassed $11 million after taxes and bonuses. Then came the second contract—typically where professional athlete wealth really explodes. Elite receivers command $20 million annually on their second deals.
Instead, everything stopped in November 2021. The Raiders released him within hours of the crash, citing “conduct detrimental” to the team. Contract language allowed them to claw back millions through contract termination provisions.
The signing bonus clawback proved particularly devastating. Teams can recover unearned portions when players breach conduct clauses. Ruggs kept only what he’d already earned through game checks and his initial bonus payment—roughly $4.73 million before taxes.
Compare that to other 2020 first-rounders. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, drafted fifteenth, has earned over $18 million. Justin Jefferson, picked twenty-second, signed a four-year, $140 million extension. Ruggs? He’ll never see another NFL career paycheck.
The loss of endorsements hurt too. Shoe deals, energy drinks, local sponsorships—all gone. Companies fled faster than a cornerback beaten deep. His earning potential, once limitless, became nonexistent.
Early Life of Henry Ruggs
Montgomery Alabama shaped young Henry Ruggs into an athletic phenomenon. Born January 24, 1999, he grew up in a supportive family that emphasized sports and education. His parents recognized his gifts early—not just in football, but basketball and track too.
At Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, Ruggs dominated multiple sports. His 100-meter dash times caught attention statewide. But football remained his true passion. Senior year, he exploded for 20 touchdowns in just nine games, showcasing the speed that would define his career.
Recruiters salivated over his combine numbers. That legendary 4.27 seconds in the 40-yard dash placed him among the fastest high school prospects ever recorded. University of Alabama won the recruiting battle, bringing him into Nick Saban‘s legendary program.
The discipline instilled during childhood laid groundwork for success. Coaches praised his work ethic. Teachers noted his focus. Everything pointed toward stardom. Yet those same years couldn’t prevent what came later—a reminder that early promise guarantees nothing.
Henry Ruggs College Career
Joining the Alabama Crimson Tide meant joining royalty. Nick Saban doesn’t recruit players; he builds champions. From 2017 to 2019, Ruggs became part of college football‘s most dominant dynasty, winning the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017.
His statistics tell the story:
- 98 receptions over three seasons
- 1,716 receiving yards
- 24 touchdowns
- Multiple clutch SEC performances
Playing alongside future NFL stars like Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy, and DeVonta Smith, Ruggs carved his own identity. He wasn’t just fast—he was explosive. Short catches became long touchdowns. His deep threat capability forced defenses to respect Alabama’s vertical game.
College football prepared him physically, but also mentally. Saban’s program demands excellence in every detail. Film study, route running, blocking—Ruggs absorbed everything. Scouts projected him as a first-round lock, and they weren’t wrong.
Those University of Alabama years represented the foundation of a career that would tragically last only 20 NFL games. The same discipline that earned him millions couldn’t save him from one catastrophic decision.
NFL Career Henry Ruggs
Draft night 2020 changed everything. The Las Vegas Raiders called his name with the 12th overall pick, making him the first wide receiver selected. Derek Carr gained a weapon. Jon Gruden gained a chess piece. Ruggs gained generational wealth.
His rookie season showed flashes despite injuries. Over 450 receiving yards and several clutch touchdowns demonstrated his potential. Year two looked even better. Through seven games in 2021, he’d caught 24 passes for 469 yards and two scores. Chemistry with Derek Carr was developing. The offense clicked.
Then came the night that ended it all. November 2021 brought the DUI crash that killed Tina Tintor. The Las Vegas Raiders released him immediately. His NFL career, barely started, was finished at age 22.
What could’ve been? A decade-long career earning $100 million-plus? Multiple Pro Bowls? Championship rings? We’ll never know. Instead, Ruggs’ legacy became a cautionary tale—the fastest player whose career ended in the slowest, most tragic way possible.
Henry Ruggs Family
Behind every athlete stands a family. Henry Ruggs III was raised by Natasha Ruggs and Henry Ruggs Jr., who nurtured his athletic dreams from childhood. His brother, Kevontae Ruggs, also pursued football at East Mississippi Community College, proving talent runs deep in the family.
Kiara Washington entered Ruggs’ life during high school. Their relationship survived fame’s pressures and now endures the ultimate test—prison sentence and public scrutiny. The couple welcomed a daughter in 2020, adding another dimension to an already complex situation.
Kiara Washington stood by him throughout the trial. Court appearances. Media storms. Prison visits. Their relationship represents one constant in a life turned upside down. She maintains his emotional stability during the 3 to 10 years prison sentence.
Family visits keep Ruggs grounded. They’re his lifeline to normalcy in Nevada State Prison. Whatever wealth remains will eventually support them—though money can’t replace lost time or restore what once seemed inevitable.
2021 Car Crash
November 2021 brought horror to Las Vegas streets. Henry Ruggs III, driving his Chevrolet Corvette at 156 mph with a blood alcohol level double the legal limit, slammed into a Toyota RAV4 driven by Tina Tintor. The 23-year-old victim and her dog died instantly in the fiery explosion.
Police arrived to find Ruggs injured but conscious. Blood tests confirmed the blood alcohol level. Speed data from his vehicle confirmed 156 mph in a 45-mph zone. The evidence was overwhelming.
Charges came swiftly:
- DUI resulting in death (felony)
- Reckless driving (felony)
- Weapons possession (lesser charge)
The Las Vegas Raiders terminated his contract within hours. His NFL career ended before the crash site cooled. In 2023, Ruggs pleaded guilty, receiving a 3 to 10 years prison sentence—far less than the maximum but devastating nonetheless.
Tina Tintor‘s family delivered gut-wrenching impact statements. They described a vibrant young woman whose life ended because someone chose to drive drunk. Their grief remains immeasurable. Their daughter isn’t coming back.
Financial consequences mirrored the legal ones. Legal expenses drained Ruggs’ savings. The contract termination eliminated future income. Potential civil lawsuits threatened what remained. Endorsements evaporated. His career earnings couldn’t cushion the fall.
This fatal accident represents one of the darkest chapters in NFL history. Not because of who Ruggs was, but because of who Tina Tintor was—a person with dreams, family, and a future stolen by reckless driving.
Henry Ruggs’ contract was worth millions before termination
The $16.67 million contract signed in 2020 represented everything Ruggs worked toward. The $10.02 million signing bonus arrived in one lump sum—life-changing money for a 21-year-old from Montgomery Alabama. His base salary structure promised steady income throughout the deal.
Then contract termination wiped it away. The Raiders exercised clauses allowing recovery of unearned bonuses. “Conduct detrimental” provisions exist for exactly these situations. Teams protect themselves against character failures that breach contracts.
What Ruggs actually kept: $4.73 million received in total. Sounds substantial until deductions hit. Federal taxes at the highest bracket (37%) claimed over $1.7 million. Agent fees took another $140,000-plus. Legal expenses from his criminal defense consumed hundreds of thousands more. Income taxes at state and federal levels left him with approximately $2.85 million after taxes.
Other 2020 first-rounders watched their wealth multiply. Ruggs watched his evaporate. The second contract he’d never sign would’ve dwarfed his rookie deal. Elite receivers earn $20-30 million annually. His earning potential was limitless.
Instead, it’s gone. The signing bonus became a brief financial flash rather than the foundation of generational wealth. One night. One choice. Millions lost—and a life taken.
FAQS
What is Henry Ruggs doing now?
Henry Ruggs III currently serves his prison sentence in Nevada State Prison after pleading guilty to DUI resulting in death. He participates in rehabilitation programs while family maintains regular contact during visitation.
Why did Henry Ruggs III get arrested?
Ruggs was arrested for causing a fatal accident in November 2021 that killed Tina Tintor and her dog. Driving 156 mph with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit resulted in charges and his eventual 3 to 10 years prison sentence.
Who is Henry Ruggs’ wife?
Henry Ruggs III isn’t married but maintains a long-term relationship with Kiara Washington, his high school sweetheart. They share a daughter born in 2020, and she’s supported him throughout his legal troubles and imprisonment.
Does Henry Ruggs own a home?
Yes, Ruggs purchased property in Las Vegas during his brief NFL career with the Las Vegas Raiders. His family currently manages the home, which contributes to his estimated $4 million net worth alongside remaining savings.
How much of his signing bonus did Ruggs keep?
Ruggs received the full $10.02 million signing bonus initially, but after contract termination, federal taxes, agent fees, and legal expenses, his actual retained wealth dropped to approximately $2.85 million after taxes from all career earnings combined.
Conclusion
Henry Ruggs net worth 2025 stands at $4 million—a shadow of what might’ve been. His journey from Alabama Crimson Tide star to 12th overall pick to convicted felon demonstrates how quickly fame crumbles. The $16.67 million contract that once promised security became worthless after contract termination. More importantly, Tina Tintor lost her life because of choices no amount of talent excuses. Discipline matters more than speed. Responsibility outlasts athletic ability. One moment rewrote everything—for Ruggs, for Kiara Washington and their daughter, and especially for a family mourning a 23-year-old victim whose future was stolen. This isn’t just about lost career earnings—it’s about consequences that no signing bonus can undo.
