By Loveth 
When Josh Jacobs sat down on The Pivot Podcast and heard Henry Ruggs III’s name, he said he instantly got chills. The two go way back—first as teammates at Alabama, then again with the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL.
But everything changed in November 2021. Ruggs was driving at insanely high speeds—156 mph just seconds before crashing into another car in Las Vegas, killing 23-year-old Tina Tintor. Ruggs later pled guilty to DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. He’s now serving a prison sentence that could last up to 10 years.
Despite all that, Jacobs says they’ve stayed close. “I still talk to Henry. He calls me. I help him out. I’m still in touch with his wife and daughter. We’re family,” Jacobs said. “His mom taught me how to bowl! It goes way deeper than football.”
Ruggs is currently at a transitional facility in Las Vegas and could be eligible for parole in 2026. Jacobs says Ruggs has stayed upbeat and is training while behind bars. “He’s got a positive mindset, man,” Jacobs said. “I’ve been talking to people, and some teams might be open to giving him another shot. I told him, ‘If you get that chance, don’t look back. Show the world you’re more than one bad decision.’”
Jacobs also reflected on the night of the crash. He was supposed to go out with Ruggs but changed his mind. Then he got a call from his lawyer saying they were going to represent Ruggs. “At first I was mad. Then I heard the full story and realized he wasn’t out racing or being reckless with friends—he was with his family. I went to his house and told some people there, ‘Y’all don’t get it—he’s the one carrying this family. He’s a good guy who made a huge mistake.’”
Jacobs emphasized that Ruggs wasn’t some wild kid. “He’s never been in trouble. What happened was awful, and it hurts because I know who he really is. This wasn’t supposed to be his story.”