Eagles’ DeVonta Smith excused from practice to attend former Alabama teammate Henry Ruggs’ sentencing: report

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith was reportedly absent from Wednesday’s team practice so he could attend the hearing of former Alabama teammate, Henry Ruggs III.

Ruggs was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison for his role in a DUI crash that killed a Las Vegas woman and her dog in 2021.

Smith, who played three seasons with Ruggs at Alabama, was excused from practice to attend the sentencing hearing in Nevada, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. 

Wide receivers DeVonta Smith, #6, and Henry Ruggs III, #11 of the Alabama Crimson Tide, celebrate scoring a touchdown in the second quarter during the game against Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on Oct. 12, 2019 in College Station, Texas. (Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Smith previously addressed the fatal crash in 2021 following a game against the Los Angeles Chargers. He told reporters at the time that his heart "breaks for everyone involved," including the victim, 23-year-old Tina Tintor, and her family.

EX-NFL STAR HENRY RUGGS III SENTENCED IN DEADLY DRUNKEN DRIVING INCIDENT

"It was hard at the beginning, but just coming in every day, being with the guys, they kind of gathered with me, helped me out a lot. So, I mean, at the beginning of the week it was tough, but eventually, the guys helped me get through it."

Smith played four seasons at Alabama before being drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Ruggs, who was cut by the Las Vegas Raiders following the accident, played three seasons with the Crimson Tide before being drafted 12th overall by the Raiders just the year before. 

Wide receiver DeVonta Smith, #6 of the Alabama Crimson Tide, celebrates