Henry Ruggs III had all the tools to be Tyreek Hill's successor this decade. The speedster dominated the SEC during his Alabama Crimson Tide tenure in Tuscaloosa, leading to the Las Vegas Raiders drafting the wideout No. 12 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Then we all know what happened next.
In the middle of his second season as a pro, a drunk Ruggs drove his car over 150 MPH before eventually crashing into another vehicle, leading to the death of Tina Tintor and her dog.
Ruggs ultimately cut a deal, pleading guilty to felony DUI causing death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter, and is eligible for parole as early as 2026.
Tuesday evening, Ruggs was granted a special release for a "Hope for Prisoners" event, where the 26-year-old traded in his orange jumpsuit for a grey shirt and pair of sweatpants before sharing words with his victim's family.
"I wish I could turn back the hands of time," Ruggs said. "I would love for them to meet the real Henry Ruggs and not the one who was escaping from something. I deeply apologize for being a part of that."
Ruggs had all the talent to develop into an All-Pro WR, but none of that matters now.
His professional career and the prime years of his life will turn out to have been behind bars after a fatal mistake behind the wheel.