Former NFL head coach Rex Ryan surrendered to authorities in Nashville on Wednesday following six misdemeanor warrants stemming from an alleged hit-and-run involving two pedestrians.
According to the WSMV, two pedestrians were crossing Broadway from 4th Avenue with a walk signal when a pickup truck turned right and ran over both victims’ feet, also making contact with one person’s leg.
The victims suffered minor injuries and said that the vehicle continued driving before stopping at a red light at Broadway and Representative John Lewis Way. The pedestrians waved down the driver, whom police identified as Ryan, and reported that he stepped out to argue with them before getting back into the truck and driving away. The individuals photographed the vehicle’s license plate, which was registered to Ryan.
Ryan, 63, turned himself in at Nashville’s Downtown Detention Center early Wednesday morning. Legal filings indicate he faces two counts of leaving the scene of an accident, two counts of failing to give information or render aid, and two counts of failing to obey a traffic control signal.
A judicial commissioner set Ryan’s bond at $6,000. However, he qualified for pretrial release, meaning he was released on non-financial conditions and is scheduled to appear in court next month.
Ryan retained criminal defense attorney David Raybin following his surrender. Raybin and co-counsel Ben Raybin released a statement addressing the situation, while Raybin separately confirmed his representation and said that they are cooperating with the investigation.
Coach Ryan immediately surrendered to authorities upon learning of the misdemeanor charges and was released without being required to post bond. From the outset, Coach Ryan has been fully cooperative with law enforcement, and he intends to remain fully cooperative as this matter moves forward. Because this case is in its early stages, we currently have limited information regarding the allegations. We will conduct a thorough investigation and address the facts through the appropriate legal process.
David and Ben Raybin, Attorneys for Rex Ryan, via ESPN
Ryan currently works as an NFL analyst for ESPN, appearing on programs such as “Sunday NFL Countdown”. Network communications confirmed the company’s awareness of the situation, stating that officials are in touch with Ryan. Broadcast coverage mentioned that Ryan appeared on the network for Sunday’s pregame program and Monday’s morning broadcast, with both shows produced in New York.
Before joining television broadcasts, Ryan was an NFL head coach, compiling an overall record of 61-66 and going 4-2 in the playoffs. He led the New York Jets for six seasons from 2009 to 2014, reaching consecutive AFC Championship Games after the 2009 and 2010 seasons. During his tenure with the Jets, he emerged as one of the league’s most popular figures due to his brash and colorful approach in news conferences.
Former NFL head coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan was arrested this morning in Nashville after allegedly running over the feet of two pedestrians with his pickup truck last week, per the Nashville Police Department. Ryan ran over both of the victims' feet in his truck as… pic.twitter.com/jDObtjHJjn
He subsequently coached the Buffalo Bills for two seasons before being dismissed in 2016. Prior to his head coaching career, he was a longtime defensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens, coaching their defensive line beginning in 1999 before taking over as defensive coordinator in 2005. His father was the late Buddy Ryan, an NFL coaching legend who famously coordinated the 1985 Chicago Bears defense.
