ESPN Analyst Rex Ryan Arrested in Nashville After Allegedly Running Over Two Pedestrians’ Feet With His Truck
Former NFL head coach and ESPN analyst Rex Ryan turned himself in to police in Nashville on Wednesday, November 11, after warrants were issued accusing him of running over the feet of two pedestrians with his pickup truck and driving away, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said.
Ryan, 63, was booked on six misdemeanor charges and later released on a $6,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on December 18.
What Police Say Happened on Broadway
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the incident happened shortly before midnight on Thursday, November 5, at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Broadway in downtown Nashville.
Police said the two pedestrians were crossing Broadway from Fourth Avenue with a walk sign when Ryan’s pickup truck turned right from Fourth Avenue, running over both victims’ feet and making contact with one person’s leg. The two pedestrians suffered minor injuries.
“The pedestrians said the vehicle kept going, but stopped for the red light at Broadway and Representative John Lewis Way where they waved down the driver. They said he stepped out of the truck to argue with them, got back in, and drove away. They took pictures of the truck’s license plate and the driver,” the police department said in its statement.
The Six Charges
Ryan faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, two counts of failure to give information or render aid, and two counts of failure to obey a traffic control signal.
All six charges are misdemeanors. The charges are allegations, and Ryan is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Court records show his first hearing is set for December 18 at 8:30 a.m.
Attorney Hired as Video Report Emerges
Ryan has hired criminal defense attorney David Raybin to handle the case. Raybin said Wednesday afternoon that his client was cooperating with investigators but had not yet received the police documents.
Separately, TMZ reported on November 12 that the incident was captured on camera. The video has not yet surfaced publicly, but it is expected to emerge at some point, according to the report.
ESPN’s Response and Ryan’s Future
ESPN, where Ryan has worked as an NFL analyst since 2017, issued a brief statement on Wednesday acknowledging the arrest. “We are aware and are in touch with Rex,” the network said.
It remains unclear whether Ryan will appear on ESPN’s Sunday morning pregame show or make other appearances while the criminal case is pending.
Ryan served as head coach of the New York Jets from 2009 to 2014, leading the team to back-to-back AFC Championship Games in his first two seasons, and later coached the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and 2016. Since joining ESPN, he has become a regular on the network’s NFL studio coverage.
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Why This Matters
The arrest puts one of ESPN’s most prominent NFL voices in legal jeopardy at the height of the football season and raises immediate questions about his on-air future.
For now, the case turns on the police account and whatever video evidence emerges. The pedestrians photographed the truck’s license plate and the driver, according to police, and the reported camera footage could become a key piece of evidence if it is released.
Latest Developments
As of Friday morning, Ryan had been released on bond and no further court action had been scheduled before the December 18 hearing. ESPN has not announced any change to its Sunday programming.
The arrest comes in a busy week for sports headlines, including Harry Kane breaking England’s caps record on Thursday, and it follows Pakistan debutant Saqib Khan taking seven wickets on his Test debut earlier in the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rex Ryan charged with?
Ryan faces six misdemeanor charges in Nashville: two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, two counts of failure to give information or render aid, and two counts of failure to obey a traffic control signal. The charges stem from an alleged incident on November 5 in which his pickup truck ran over the feet of two pedestrians.
When is Rex Ryan’s court date?
Ryan is scheduled to appear in court in Nashville on December 18 at 8:30 a.m., according to court records.
Will Rex Ryan still appear on ESPN?
ESPN has not said whether Ryan will appear on its Sunday morning pregame show or other programming while the case is pending. The network said only that it is aware of the situation and in touch with Ryan.
What Happens Next
Ryan’s first court appearance is set for December 18 in Nashville. Until then, the key questions are whether the reported camera footage of the incident becomes public and whether ESPN adjusts Ryan’s on-air role while the case moves forward.
