Rae Carruth is a former American professional football player who has a net worth of $10 thousand.

Ray Carruth was a first-round NFL Draft pick who played wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers before his career ended in one of the darkest criminal cases in professional sports history. In 2001, Carruth was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the 1999 shooting death of Cherica Adams, who was eight months pregnant with his child.

Before the crime, Carruth appeared positioned for a substantial NFL career. He was an All-American at the University of Colorado and was selected 27th overall by the Panthers in the 1997 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $3.7 million contract that included a seven-figure signing bonus. His rookie season was promising, but injuries limited his second year. His NFL career ended during his third season after authorities accused him of conspiring to have Adams killed. Carruth served approximately 18 years in prison and was released in October 2018. He has maintained an extremely private life since his release and has not returned to professional sports or developed a significant public business career.

Rae Carruth was born Rae Lamar Wiggins on January 20, 1974, in Sacramento, California.

He attended Valley High School before earning a football scholarship to the University of Colorado.

Carruth became one of the Buffaloes' leading receivers. He finished his college career with 135 receptions for 2,540 yards and 11 touchdowns and earned first-team All-American honors in 1996.

His quarterbacks at Colorado included future NFL players Kordell Stewart and Koy Detmer.

The Carolina Panthers selected Carruth with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 1997 NFL Draft.

He signed a four-year contract worth approximately $3.7 million, including a signing bonus reported at around $1 million to $1.3 million.

Carruth caught 44 passes for 545 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie and earned recognition on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.

A broken foot limited him to one game in 1998.

Carruth returned in 1999 but played only six games before his arrest ended his career.

At the time, the Panthers were owned by Jerry Richardson.

On November 16, 1999, Carruth and Cherica Adams went to a movie together in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Adams was eight months pregnant with Carruth's child.

As she drove home behind Carruth, he stopped his vehicle in front of hers. Another vehicle pulled alongside Adams, and gunman Van Brett Watkins shot her multiple times.

Despite being critically wounded, Adams called 911 and told the dispatcher that Carruth had been driving in front of her and had stopped his vehicle before the shooting.

Doctors performed an emergency Caesarean section and delivered her son, Chancellor Lee Adams. He survived but suffered permanent brain damage and cerebral palsy because of oxygen deprivation.

Cherica Adams died on December 14, 1999.

Carruth initially posted $3 million bail on the condition that he surrender if either Adams or the baby died.

After Adams' death, he did not turn himself in.

Authorities captured Carruth the following day in Tennessee, where he was found hiding in the trunk of a car outside a motel.

The Carolina Panthers waived him, ending his football career.

Prosecutors argued that Carruth had arranged the killing because he did not want to financially support another child.

In January 2001, a jury found Carruth guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and using an instrument to destroy an unborn child. He was acquitted of first-degree murder, avoiding a possible death sentence.

Carruth received a sentence ranging from approximately 19 to 24 years in prison.

Carruth served nearly 18 years in the North Carolina prison system.

Shortly before his release, he wrote publicly about Chancellor and initially expressed interest in developing a relationship with his son. He later said he would not pursue custody.

Carruth was released from prison on October 22, 2018.

Unlike many former professional athletes who attempt to rebuild public careers after incarceration, Carruth has remained largely outside the public eye. There is no evidence that he has returned to football, broadcasting, endorsements, speaking, or another substantial public-facing career.

Chancellor Lee Adams was raised by his maternal grandmother, Saundra Adams.