The Las Vegas Raiders and Henry Ruggs have parted ways.
On Tuesday, October 26, 2021, Ruggs was driving his Corvette in a residential area of Las Vegas in the early morning (about 3:30 a.m.) under the influence of alcohol. He was with his girlfriend. He was also driving at a high rate of speed. It has been estimated that he was driving up to 156 m.p.h. before the crash. That is not a typo.
In his inebriated state, he was allegedly distracted, approached an intersection, and slammed into a Toyota Rav4, “instantly” killing the female driver and her dog.
Hard to Feel Sorry
Ruggs and his girlfriend, who have a child together, escaped with minor injuries. In the overall scheme of things, the blessing is that the mother of the young child lived. I say this, because Henry Ruggs could be facing a 20-year jail sentence. Upon his release from the hospital, he was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.
It should be noted that the Raiders, as with other teams, offer a car service for players who feel they might need them. Said the Raiders organization: “(we were) devastated by the loss of life,” and “(we’re) in the process of gathering information.”
Henry Ruggs was a first-round draft choice out of Alabama. As a first-rounder, he had a guaranteed $16.6 million contract. The young man was already proving himself on the field. His statistics elevated him to the number two receiver in the league.
Now, of course, he has no job and no money. Even if the skies parted and he was released from prison, let’s say, after two years, I doubt if the Raiders, let alone any team in the NFL, would want him back. He will sit forgotten in a jail cell, left to confront his choices. Whether he serves no time, two years or time off with good behavior after 10 years and all that, the consequences of his choices will haunt him for a lifetime.
I am Angry
I am in the passionate profession of teaching sports ethics. I do not feel sorry for Henry Ruggs III, but I am angry for him and as a result, I am livid for the system which neglects to instill values and an ethical mindset.
Ruggs is a victim only in the sense of being in a system that deifies exceptional young athletes but is neglectful of teaching them ethical values, good decision making and an understanding of what is expected of him off the field.
I submit he was coddled from the beginning of his collegiate career (undoubtedly earlier), through the University of Alabama, the draft, the Raiders, the media, fans and the sponsorship “industry.” I also submit there were warning signs along the way that were overlooked.
Why ethical training is almost never considered for young athletes has never failed to astonish me. A great deal of money was thrown at him and much praise heaped upon him; so much so, he felt invulnerable. Apparently, no one with a major influence told him otherwise. There were few consequences, only unlimited choices involving the trappings of wealth, cars, partying and even more money.
Now, the system that failed to put up ethical guardrails will turn away from him and will go on to the next young athlete. Henry Ruggs III will be forgotten, but we won’t forget. As Ruggs faces court dates, I am reminded of Rae Carruth, another young man, and exceptional athlete, who made an awful decision. Upon leaving prison after 20 years, Carruth was quoted as saying:
“I’m excited about just being out of here. I’m nervous just about how I’ll be received by the public. I still have to work. I still have to live. I have to exist out there and it just seems like there is so much hate and negativity toward me. I’m actually somewhat frightened.”
Poor choices follow us for a lifetime. Someone needed to impress that on Henry Ruggs.
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