Henry Ruggs III was expected to be one of the top wide receivers in the NFL when he was drafted out of Alabama in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, Ruggs III hasn’t played in the NFL since 2021, after causing a fatal crash that killed a 23-year-old woman and her dog. In 2023, Ruggs was sentenced to three to ten years in prison after pleading guilty to felony DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.
Ahead of a potential release from prison, Ruggs is eyeing a return to the NFL. Dallas Cowboys All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons’ brother, Terrence Parsons, took to social media to weigh in on a potential NFL return for Ruggs.
Terrence Parsons Makes Bold Statement About Henry Ruggs III
“Everyone deserves a second chance,” said Parsons in response to whether Ruggs should be allowed to return to the NFL.
Everyone deserves a second chance https://t.co/gLaPCtH1Rm
— Terrence Parsons Jr (@Tpars_boii) June 19, 2025
Parsons has been vocal on social media, particularly regarding moves the Cowboys should make. He voiced his dismay when the team did not select a wide receiver in the NFL Draft, and while the team did trade for George Pickens after the NFL Draft, it’s fair to wonder if Dallas would be the team willing to give Ruggs a second chance.
Ruggs was selected with the No. 12 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2020 NFL Draft after running one of the fastest 40-yard dash times in the history of the NFL Scouting Combine, at 4.27 seconds.
Despite the draft investment the Raiders made in Ruggs, he did not live up to being the player the team hoped he would be in his two years with the team. Ruggs played in 20 games in the NFL, catching 50 of 79 targets for 921 yards and four touchdowns.
His talent is undeniable, and second chances aren’t uncommon in the NFL. However, being away from football for five years raises questions about whether he will be the same player if he returns. Ruggs is up for parole in 2026, at which point he will be only 27 years old.
Ruggs Expresses Remorse and Regret Over Fatal Crash
The former Alabama wide receiver was granted a temporary special release from prison on Tuesday, June 17 to speak at a Hope for Prisoners event. He publicly expressed his regret and remorse for the situation.
“I wish I could turn back the hands of time,” Ruggs said. “I sincerely apologize for not only being a part of that situation but the fact my face is always in the news; it’s always in the newspaper. So, they constantly have to be reminded of the situation, be reminded of me.”
Former Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III spoke at a Hope for Prisoners event in Las Vegas and apologized to the family of a woman he killed in a car crash nearly four years ago. pic.twitter.com/s7g7jK13B4
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 18, 2025
While Ruggs has expressed his remorse and regret over the situation, it does not change what happened. It remains unclear if he will be granted release on parole in 2026 when first eligible.
Only time will tell if Ruggs is given his second chance in the NFL. Even if he is released from prison on parole when first eligible, he still would need to be reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell before he would be eligible to play.