American football wide receiver Henry James Ruggs III was born on January 24, 1999, and had two seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was a part of the University of Alabama football team that won the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship while he was a student-athlete. The Las Vegas Raiders selected Ruggs in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Ruggs was involved in an automobile accident in his second season that claimed the life of another motorist. That following day, the Raiders released him. Ruggs formally entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of vehicular manslaughter and a felony charge of driving under the influence (DUI) resulting in death on May 10, 2023. He is presently being held at the Stewart Conservation Camp after receiving a sentence that called for three to ten years in a Nevada state prison.
Early Life
Ruggs spent his formative years in Montgomery, Alabama, and attended Robert E. Lee High School. Although he did not begin playing high school football until his junior year, his talent quickly garnered attention, leading to his first scholarship offer after just his second game on the field. As a senior, he showcased his prowess with 38 catches for 639 yards across nine games, scoring an impressive 20 touchdowns through a combination of receptions, rushes, passes, and kick returns.
Beyond football, Ruggs displayed versatility by participating in basketball and track during his high school tenure. Notably, his 100-meter dash time of 10.58 seconds set a record in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s class 7A category. Recognized for his athletic prowess, he was ranked as the second-best high school football player in Alabama by 247Sports.com in 2017.
Ruggs received scholarship offers from over 20 colleges for football but ultimately elected to join the University of Alabama.
Career
During his tenure at the University of Alabama, Ruggs showcased his talent on the football field. As a freshman in 2017, he made an impact with 12 receptions, 229 yards, and six touchdowns. His sophomore season in 2018 saw significant growth, tallying 46 receptions, 741 yards, and 11 touchdowns. In his junior year in 2019, Ruggs continued to excel with 40 receptions, 746 yards, and seven touchdowns while also serving as the team’s primary kick returner, averaging 23.8 yards per return. His impressive performance earned him a place among Alabama’s all-time receiving touchdown leaders.
Ruggs’ skills were further highlighted at the 2020 NFL Combine, where he ran a blazing 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds, the fastest time among prospects that year and tied for the fourth-fastest in combine history. Additionally, he showcased a 42-inch vertical jump, ranking among the top wide receivers at the event.
Selected as the first wide receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft, Ruggs was chosen by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 12th overall pick. He made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020, and had standout performances, including his first 100-yard game in Week 5 against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, his rookie season was cut short when he was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in December 2020.
In the 2021 season, Ruggs continued to contribute to the Raiders’ offense, totaling 24 receptions, 469 receiving yards, and two touchdowns in seven games. However, his time with the Raiders came to an abrupt end on November 2, 2021, following his involvement in a drunk driving car crash that resulted in the death of another driver. Despite his promising talent, Ruggs’ stint with the Raiders concluded after 20 games, accumulating 1,197 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns.
Personal life
Ruggs attributes his decision to pursue football in high school to his friend Roderic Scott, who tragically passed away in a car accident at the age of 17. To honor Scott’s memory, who wore number 3 on the basketball court, Ruggs adopted a three-fingered salute after each touchdown.
Furthermore, Ruggs’ brother, Kevontae, played college football at Ole Miss in 2018 before transferring to East Mississippi Community College in 2019.
In April 2020, Henry Ruggs collaborated with Three Square, a southern Nevada food bank, to provide meals to individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On May 7, 2020, Ruggs welcomed his daughter into the world with his long-time partner, Rudy Washington.
Height and Weight
Measurable | Measurement | %tile |
---|---|---|
Height | 5′ 11″ | 21 |
Weight | 188 lbs | 20 |
Arm Length | 30½” | 14 |
Hand Size | 10⅛” | 91 |
40 Yard Dash | 4.27s | 98 |
Vertical Jump | 42″ | 97 |
Broad Jump | 131″ | 92 |
Net Worth
Following the accident, former NFL wide receiver Henry Ruggs had a $4 million net worth. Due to the incident, Ruggs was charged with driving under the influence and one person lost their life. His bright football career was abruptly interrupted by the accident.
FAQs
How old is Henry Ruggs III?
Henry Ruggs III is 25 years old.
When was Henry Ruggs III born?
Henry Ruggs III was born on January 24, 1999.
How tall is Henry Ruggs III?
Henry Ruggs III is 6-0 (183 cm) tall.
How much did Henry Ruggs III weigh when playing?
Henry Ruggs III weighed 190 lbs (86 kg) when playing.
Is Henry Ruggs III in the Hall of Fame?
Henry Ruggs III has not been elected into the Hall of Fame.
How many games did Henry Ruggs III play?
Henry Ruggs III played 20 games over his career.
How many receptions did Henry Ruggs III have?
Henry Ruggs III had 50 receptions over his career.
How many receiving yards did Henry Ruggs III have?
Henry Ruggs III had 921 receiving yards over his career.
When did Henry Ruggs III retire?
Henry Ruggs III last played in 2021.
What is Henry Ruggs III’s Twitter account?
Henry Ruggs III is on Twitter at __RUGGS.
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