Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr believes Henry Ruggs III deserves to be “loved” in the wake of Ruggs’ fiery car accident prosecutors say killed a young woman.
Carr said in an emotional statement last week he was heartbroken over the tragedy and added he’s willing to offer love to Ruggs — even if no one else will do the same.
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“I will always be here for him. That won’t change,” Carr said, adding he would prove this to Ruggs as time progresses. “He needs people to love him right now … he needs to be loved. If no one else will do it, I’ll do it.”
Carr’s loving and grace-filled reaction — even in the midst of such an unthinkable event — isn’t entirely surprising, considering his Christian faith. The popular football player has spoken about the importance of glorifying God and once admitted he almost left football to become a pastor.
Derek Carr says he’ll continue to be there for Henry Ruggs: “He needs to be loved right now, and if no one else will do it, I’ll do it.” pic.twitter.com/C4198gjJpr
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 4, 2021
It should also be noted Carr similarly reacted to former head coach Jon Gruden’s recent resignation over negative language used in past emails. Despite disagreeing with the contents of Gruden’s messages, Carr encouraged people to show love to him, as WTHR-TV reported.
“I don’t condone that kind of talk, I don’t talk that way. My kids sure as heck will never talk that way,” Carr said. “It’s hard, because I love the man so much. I have family members that have done things, I’ve done things, that I’m glad I’m still loved.”
He continued, “I think more than anything, [Gruden] needs people to help him, to love him, in whatever areas that we can. But, at the same time, what’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong.”
In Carr’s most recent comments about Ruggs, he’s once again living out Christ’s command to love others.
Ruggs, who was released by the Raiders last week in the wake of the deadly crash, has been charged with reckless driving and driving under the influence resulting in death, among other charges, according to NBC News.
Prosecutors say the ex-player was driving drunk and over 150 miles per hour when his vehicle crashed into a Toyota RAV4, killing Tina Tintor, 23, and her dog.
Ruggs and girlfriend Kiara Je’nai Kilgo-Washington were injured and subsequently hospitalized.
As for Carr, he was emotional speaking about Ruggs and revealed that his former teammate texted him hours before the accident to ask for help on a golf swings, making news of the deadly wreck that much more surreal.
Raiders QB Derek Carr said Ruggs texted him and Hunter Renfrow at midnight asking for golf swing tips, then he woke up to the news of the crash. #vegas #raiders #RaiderNation 🎥 @raiders pic.twitter.com/ra4HHZVr9x
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) November 3, 2021
“My emotions have been on a roller coaster so to speak this year. My heart goes out so much. I’ll try to say it with a straight face because I’ve already been emotional about every bit of this,” Carr said. “But to the family, to all the families involved, no one ever wants to see this, whether it’s a football player or not, you never want to see something like this happen. It broke my wife and I’s heart, honestly.”
Let’s all pray for Tintor’s friends and family, for Ruggs and for all those impacted.
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