Josh Jacobs, one of the most respected running backs in the NFL, recently stirred a firestorm of discussion across the league and among fans with a bold and deeply personal statement. The veteran back, now with the Green Bay Packers after a strong stint with the Las Vegas Raiders, revealed in an interview that he has spoken to multiple NFL teams who would be willing to give his former teammate and friend Henry Ruggs III a second chance in the league.
Jacobs’ revelation didn’t come in the form of a vague comment or passing remark. It came from a place of familiarity, reflection, and what he described as “a belief in redemption.” Ruggs, a former first-round pick of the Raiders, had his career and life tragically derailed after a devastating car crash in November 2021 that claimed the life of 23-year-old Tina Tintor and her dog. Ruggs, who was found to be driving under the influence at more than 150 miles per hour, was ultimately sentenced to a minimum of three years in prison after pleading guilty to DUI resulting in death and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.
That incident rocked the NFL. Ruggs, just 22 at the time, went from being one of the league’s most explosive young receivers to a symbol of recklessness and wasted potential. The Raiders immediately released him. He disappeared from the public eye for months, and understandably so. The weight of what had happened was suffocating, not only for the families involved, but also for the teammates, coaches, and fans who had once cheered for him.
Jacobs, however, never stopped caring about Ruggs. The two shared a locker room. They entered the league together in the same 2020 Raiders draft class. They practiced together, celebrated wins together, and endured losses together. Jacobs has spoken in the past about his heartbreak following the crash, emphasizing both his grief for the victim and his concern for Ruggs. And now, in 2025, he is openly suggesting that the idea of a second chance is not as far-fetched as many might believe.
“I’ve talked to a couple teams that said if the time comes, they’d be willing to give him a shot,” Jacobs said. “They know what he did was horrible. We all do. He knows it. But they also see a young man who’s served his time, shown remorse, and is trying to rebuild his life. That means something.”
Those words — “served his time” and “trying to rebuild his life” — strike at the heart of one of the most difficult and polarizing debates in sports. Should athletes who commit serious crimes be allowed back into the league after serving their legal punishment? Does the justice system’s sentence equate to moral forgiveness? And what role do leagues like the NFL play in either reinforcing or challenging societal perceptions of redemption?
Jacobs isn’t blind to the controversy. In fact, he addressed it head-on during the interview, acknowledging that the pain from the accident will never go away and that the victim’s family is the most important consideration in any conversation about Ruggs’ future.
“I’m not trying to downplay what happened,” Jacobs said. “A life was lost. That should never be ignored. But if we believe in rehabilitation — if we believe that people can learn from their mistakes and try to be better — then why can’t we at least have the conversation?”
The NFL, for its part, has remained largely silent on the matter. League officials declined to comment when asked about the possibility of Ruggs being reinstated following his release from prison, which could come as early as late 2025 depending on parole and good behavior. However, there is precedent in the NFL for players returning after criminal convictions, even those involving violence, drugs, and other serious charges. Michael Vick, who served nearly two years in federal prison for his involvement in a dogfighting ring, returned to the league in 2009 and not only played well but became a symbol — at least in some circles — of personal transformation.
Still, Ruggs’ case is different. A young woman died. A family was shattered. The emotional toll is incalculable, and the idea of him suiting up again, catching touchdowns, and celebrating in the end zone is deeply unsettling to many. The court of public opinion remains largely against him, and there are countless fans who believe he should never again be allowed to represent the NFL.
But Jacobs pushes back on the notion that his advocacy for Ruggs is about football. It’s about humanity.
“You don’t just throw people away,” Jacobs said. “I’m not saying he deserves to walk back onto a team tomorrow. But what I am saying is, he’s not the same kid who made that decision. I’ve seen the growth. I’ve talked to him. He’s been broken by this. But he’s trying. He’s really trying.”
Jacobs also shared that Ruggs has spent much of his time in prison reflecting on his life, working with counselors, and participating in outreach programs aimed at educating young people about the dangers of drunk driving. “He’s not making excuses,” Jacobs said. “He owns what he did. Every day.”
Whether that kind of effort is enough to warrant a second chance is a question the league, its teams, and the public will have to wrestle with in the months and years ahead. But Jacobs’ comments have already sparked discussion among fans, players, and analysts alike.
Former players have weighed in, with some offering support for Jacobs’ perspective and others expressing dismay that Ruggs’ name is even being mentioned in an NFL context again. “Actions have consequences,” tweeted one retired player. “Some things you don’t come back from.”
But others see a deeper layer to Jacobs’ stance. “This is about whether we as a society really believe in second chances,” said another former teammate, who asked not to be named. “You don’t have to be a football fan to understand that.”
From a purely football standpoint, there’s no denying Ruggs’ talent. Before the crash, he was one of the fastest players in the NFL and had already begun carving out a role as a top deep threat. In his second season, he had 469 receiving yards and two touchdowns in just seven games. His speed was game-breaking, and his upside was tantalizing. But now, any team considering him would have to weigh far more than 40-yard dash times.
There would be PR fallout, protests, and moral reckoning. Sponsors might balk. Fans might boycott. And there’s always the possibility that Ruggs himself wouldn’t want to return, knowing the scrutiny that would come with every step he takes.
Jacobs says he hasn’t pressed Ruggs on that yet. “He’s just trying to take things one day at a time,” he said. “But I know him. I know how much the game meant to him. If he does want to come back, I think he deserves a shot to try.”
The conversation around Henry Ruggs III is far from over, and in many ways, it’s just beginning again. For some, the very idea of him returning to professional football is repugnant. For others, it’s a test of the principles of forgiveness, rehabilitation, and growth.
Josh Jacobs knew his comments would make waves. But he also knew that staying silent, pretending the question didn’t exist, wasn’t the answer either.
“People can feel however they want to feel,” he said. “I understand that. But I’m just speaking from the heart. I’ve seen the good in Henry. I’ve seen the pain he carries. And I’ve seen the effort he’s making to be a better man. That deserves to be acknowledged.”
For now, Henry Ruggs III remains behind bars. The NFL, teams, and the public continue to watch, wait, and debate. But thanks to Jacobs’ courage to speak out, one thing is certain — the question of a second chance for Henry Ruggs III is no longer a hypothetical. It’s a real conversation, and it’s not going away anytime soon.