Rex Ryan, the former NFL head coach, was arrested on Wednesday morning in Nashville after allegedly striking two pedestrians with his pickup truck on November 5. The incident occurred shortly before midnight at the intersection of Broadway and 4th Avenue, where the pedestrians were crossing with a walk sign when Ryan reportedly turned right and ran over both victims' feet, also making contact with one individual's leg. Following the collision, the truck continued driving but stopped at a red light at Broadway and Representative John Lewis Way, where the pedestrians managed to wave Ryan down and confront him about the incident. Witnesses reported that Ryan exited his vehicle to argue with them before returning to his truck and driving away, prompting the victims to take photos of the truck and its license plate, which was registered to Ryan.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department confirmed that Ryan turned himself in on six outstanding misdemeanor warrants related to the incident. He faces two counts each of leaving the scene of an accident, failure to give information or render aid, and failure to obey a traffic control device. Ryan's bond was set at $6,000, and he was released from custody shortly after his booking. At 63 years old, Ryan has a long history in the NFL, having last coached in 2016 with the Buffalo Bills and previously serving as head coach of the New York Jets from 2009 to 2014, where he gained notoriety for his outspoken personality and coaching style.S1S2
Ryan's coaching career began in 1994 with the Arizona Cardinals, and he is best known for his tenure with the Baltimore Ravens, where he was part of the coaching staff during their Super Bowl XXXV victory. Since leaving coaching, Ryan has transitioned into broadcasting, frequently appearing on ESPN. His recent visit to Nashville coincided with an appearance on the podcast "Bussin' with the Boys," although the exact reason for his presence in the city at the time of the incident remains unclear. As the legal proceedings unfold, Ryan's future in both his personal and professional life may be significantly impacted by these charges.S1S2