In a situation birthed out of tragedy, he’s about to put in the biggest piece to a promise he made to a fallen friend and the family he loves as his own.
Henry Ruggs III is a quiet person to those in the public eye. With a smile, he speaks to those that greet him yet much lies behind the smile.
On the field, he turns into a young man that is ever reminded of life being more than him.
Prior to the accomplishments he would gain at the University of Alabama, Ruggs had a special support system. A visionary stood at the head of the group, and it was one that lived his life by the statement: “I will do something great; I will be something great.”
He was only 17, but Roderic Scott captured the essence of Montgomery, Ala.
He arrived at Robert E. Lee High School in 2014 as a transfer (St. Jude) and his work ethic impacted everyone – including Ruggs.
It had been 13 years since its last Area Championship (2002), but the duo of Scott and Ruggs delivered the Generals a title in 2015.
A second straight area title would follow suit the next season; however, the celebration did not last.
For Ruggs, Scott was neither a friend nor a classmate. He was a brother and the other half of himself. It was Scott that convinced Ruggs that football would serve as his ticket to better things.
However, the only thing the former five-star battles with daily is a chance to see his friend again. Ruggs and Montgomery lost a special person on Mar. 3, 2016, as Scott was ejected from a car and killed in a crash at Chilton County.
RELATED: NFL analyst Rex Ryan calls Tua Tagovailoa the ‘greatest risk in the history of the NFL Draft’
According to an article from al.com, Earl Taylor, Scott’s former basketball coach at St. Jude, referred to him as one of the ‘most exceptional people he had ever known.’ He spoke of Scott’s leadership by example and how he was never one for negativity.
While thousands mourned at Scott’s funeral, Ruggs did everything to pull himself together.
Even with members of the family telling Ruggs he was not at fault, he still felt personally responsible. When it came time to pick his school in 2017, Ruggs donned the hat that Scott envisioned for him in their conversations.
During his tear-jerking commitment video to Alabama, Ruggs kneeled at Scott’s grave and placed the hat with a scripted “A” next to a vase with flowers. With the local basketball legend living through the man of speed, the first installment of “3’s up” was born.
Ruggs would grab a team-high six touchdowns as a freshman – including one versus Georgia in the national title game.
I do it for you bro??? #LL3?? pic.twitter.com/atnxeuW3nJ
— HJR III™? (@__RUGGS) May 24, 2017
In a span of three years, he blew past SEC defenders and wowed fans and media pundits.
Ruggs totaled 24 touchdowns on 98 catches and paid homage to his fallen brother with each journey to the end zone.
“We were twins. That’s all I can say,” Ruggs said of he and Scott in an ESPN documentary. “The confidence he gave me is a part of me forever.”
To this day, Scott’s mother – Renita Scott – values Ruggs for honoring her son.
RELATED: Rex Ryan calls Amari Cooper ‘disappearing act…I wouldn’t pay this turd”
Scott wanted to be great and he desired the same for Ruggs. After a great career with the Crimson Tide, Ruggs took his talents to the NFL Scouting Combine and had one of the best performances in the history of the event.
The 5-foot-10, 188-pounder recorded the fastest 40-time for receivers (4.27 seconds) and was tied for the sixth-fastest time in Combine history.
He would also post a 42” vertical and 10’11” broad jump.
All of the moments and lessons he had with Scott not only made Ruggs a prolific collegiate athlete, but has also positioned him to possibly be the first receiver taken in the NFL Draft.
Before hearing his name called next month, Ruggs decided to secure a memory of his fallen brother on his arm.
Long Live the L3GEND?? 3’s up forever?? pic.twitter.com/Rb5A7JZtyy
— HJR III™? (@__RUGGS) April 3, 2020
As looks to turn in a career filled with yards, touchdowns, awards, playoff appearances and hopefully Super Bowl rings, Ruggs will do it by flashing the same honor code: 3’s up.
*Get the BEST Alabama football insider information, message board access, and recruiting coverage today! SIGN UP HERE to unlock our subscriber only content!*
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
