Alabama coach Nick Saban wishes someone has shown some leadership and been able to prevent a tragedy involving his former player Henry Ruggs.
Ruggs, a Raiders wide receiver, was allegedly intoxicated while driving 156 miles per hour, seconds before a fiery Las Vegas wreck that killed 23-year-old resident Tina Tintor in November.
“People are more apprehensive about being leaders than they’ve ever been before because they’re worried about what everybody thinks” Saban said in a speech at the Alabama Football Coaches Association that has since been removed from social media.
“If there was a player in Las Vegas who was drinking at 3 o’clock in the morning with his buddies and his girlfriend and somebody would’ve taken his keys away, it probably would’ve pissed him off. It probably would’ve made him mad. He probably wouldn’t have thought very much of you for doing that. But would he be better off now, or is he better off where he was going 156 miles an hour running his ass into somebody and killing them?”
Nick Saban brought up Henry Ruggs in a speech about leadership. Getty ImagesRuggs had a blood alcohol content level of .161 — more than double the limit of 0.08 — at the time of the crash, according to authorities. He was cut by the Raiders and is currently facing charges including felony DUI resulting in substantial bodily harm, reckless driving resulting in substantial bodily harm and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a firearm while under the influence.
The 22-year-old faces up to 46 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
Henry Ruggs in court Getty Images“And he doesn’t have a career anymore,” Saban said. “And he’s a good kid. He never had one problem on our team at Alabama. So what kind of friend were you, what kind of leader were you when you allowed the guy to do it? But nobody wants to do that because they’re afraid of what somebody’s going to think of them.”
In November, shortly after the crash, Saban spoke about how the consequences of actions can be “devastating”.
Henry Ruggs III is facing up to 46 years in prison for the fatal November wreck. Clark County Detention Center via AP
The 12th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Henry Ruggs has a blood alcohol content of .161. TMZ / BACKGRID“I think [this incident] is something a lot of folks can learn from,” Saban said. “I think a lot of players on our team, when we say [for] people to make good choices and do the right thing. Because we love him. We’re going to support him through it. But we also have a lot of compassion from the victims, and our thoughts and prayers are also with them.”
