Former New York Jets head coach and ESPN analyst Rex Ryan has been arrested in Nashville after allegedly running over two pedestrians’ feet with his pickup truck, arguing with them, and driving away.
Ryan, 63, turned himself in to authorities Wednesday, November 11, after police issued six misdemeanor warrants connected to the alleged hit-and-run incident in downtown Nashville.
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the incident unfolded shortly before midnight Thursday, November 5, near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Broadway, one of the city’s busiest entertainment districts.
Investigators say two pedestrians were crossing Broadway with a walk signal when Ryan allegedly made a right turn in his pickup truck, running over both individuals’ feet and striking one person’s leg.
Both pedestrians suffered minor injuries.
But what allegedly happened next landed the former NFL coach in even more trouble.
Rather than stopping immediately to assist the injured pedestrians, Ryan reportedly continued driving down Broadway.
The victims eventually caught up with his pickup truck when it stopped at a red light near Representative John Lewis Way.
According to police, the pedestrians confronted Ryan about what had happened, but instead of exchanging information or offering assistance, he allegedly climbed out of his truck and began arguing with them.
Ryan then reportedly got back behind the wheel and drove away.
The pedestrians managed to photograph the pickup truck’s license plate and its driver before he left.
Investigators subsequently determined that the vehicle was registered to Ryan, leading authorities to issue six misdemeanor warrants for his arrest.
The former coach faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, two counts of failing to provide information or render aid, and two counts of failing to obey a traffic control signal.
Ryan surrendered Wednesday morning and was booked into the Davidson County Jail. A judicial commissioner initially set his bond at $6,000, although he was later released under nonfinancial pretrial conditions.
He is expected to appear in court next month.
In an unusual twist, the incident has also revived memories of an embarrassing controversy involving Ryan during his years coaching the Jets.
In 2010, Ryan attracted national headlines after videos reportedly involving his wife and an apparent foot fetish surfaced online.
The longtime coach largely brushed off questions surrounding the controversy at the time, although it became one of the more memorable off-field stories of his career.
Now, his latest legal troubles have once again placed him in the headlines for an incident involving feet, though the criminal allegations are entirely unrelated to the earlier controversy.
Ryan became head coach of the New York Jets in 2009 and quickly established himself as one of football’s most outspoken personalities.
He led the team to consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances following the 2009 and 2010 seasons but was ultimately fired after the 2014 campaign.
He later spent two seasons coaching the Buffalo Bills before transitioning into television, becoming a familiar face on ESPN’s NFL coverage.
ESPN acknowledged the arrest Wednesday, saying the network was aware of the situation and had been in contact with Ryan.
Authorities have not publicly identified the two injured pedestrians, and it remains unclear whether Ryan has retained an attorney.