First Thoughts: Henry Ruggs And Responsibility

At this moment, I sit in my living room, trying to form an opinion, based on my thoughts. With clipboards to my right and the kitchen to my left, forming coherent thought could be a chore. yet, in the nonstop news cycle that encompasses sports, politics, and entertainment, there is no rest for the weary. As I check social media for news updates regarding the Henry Ruggs crash and arrest, my thoughts slowly coalesce. First and foremost, my deepest sympathies go out to the family of the victim. Words won’t bring your loved one back, but peace in this time of pain could help.

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Can’t Minimize This

For those who don’t know, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs was involved in a fatal crash early this morning. Ruggs, the driver of his car, waited for the authorities. Meanwhile, the victim in the other car died at the scene. Yet, for some, those two sentences want to make some defend Ruggs. In all honesty, I feel sadness for the family and little sympathy for Ruggs. Not to say, there’s anger, more disappointment, and astonishment at the carelessness shown.

Hard Facts

According to the NHTSA, twenty-eight people die in America each day from drunk driving accidents. That works out to a little more of an American an hour. Getting behind the wheel of a car, in that condition, with so many transportation options readily existing is inexcusable. For the staunchest of defenders, how would you feel if your relative sat in that Toyota early this morning? You wouldn’t run to the other driver’s defense. Ignore the uniform and jersey. Focus on the human aspect.

Atrocious Precedent

Venturing around the sun many times brought me gray hair and a long memory. Sadly, one directly correlates to the other. In 1998, Rams’ defensive end Leonard Little left his birthday party. He struck and killed a woman named Susan Gutweiler. Little received the lightest slap on the wrist possible for his manslaughter conviction: four years probation and one thousand hours of community service. If you want a slightly more recent example, Donte Stallworth pled guilty to DUI manslaughter charges in 2009. Early in the morning in Miami, he struck and killed Mario Reyes, who tried to catch a bus home after his shift. His penalty: twenty-four days in jail, two years supervision, and eight years probation. Again, the lightest wrist taps. How the league and NFLPA handle this remains last on things anyone needs to worry about right now.

The Foolish Swirling

In perusing social media, you see various theories abound from the most dimwitted of people. First, people really tried to blame the city of Las Vegas and its lifestyle. Yes, really blaming the Vegas nightlife. Wholly ignorant of the fact that North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Wisconsin possess the highest DUI rates in the country. Read the room. If Henry Ruggs knew alcohol would be involved, call a ride, a friend, anyone. This entire tragedy could have been avoided. Whether you cheer for the Las Vegas Raiders or not, acknowledge that someone did not make it home because of abhorrent decision-making.

Sad Truth

A family lost a member and some of the fanbase is making excuses, very dumb ones. I would say be better, but judging by tweets and comments, some remain woefully unable. For someone that fumbled seventy-one times in seventy-nine starts, you’d expect incompetent situational awareness. Yet, that tweet serves as a cold reminder that common sense and innate decency are in rather short supply.

 Misplaced Attention

The reaction that angered me was that of David Carr. The former first-round flop decided to tweet, then deleted this. At a time when life ended, another life forever changed, an MVP trophy ran to the front of his mind. How? In what realistic realm does a rational human place a trophy over the lives of others? Folks, everyone is not meant for social media. Through ignorance or just callous indifference, people need to step back and realize the gravity of the situation.

The Future

While in his early twenties, Henry Ruggs committed a crime that ended a life, changed his and altered a family’s. Make no mistake, he could’ve avoided this entire situation. For the rest of his life, he will think of November 2, 2021 as the day the entirety of his existence shifted. Football is now uncertain. A trial/sentencing/settlement/suspension seems more than likely. With a nebulous future, Ruggs must look further than the field, answer for this crime and hopefully, make amends. Not with me or you, but contrition starts with the victim’s family. Keep a good thought for them.