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Rex Ryan has been arrested
Rex Ryan surrendered to Nashville authorities on Wednesday, November 11, on six misdemeanor charges after police said his pickup truck struck two pedestrians downtown and he drove away following an argument.
The former Jets and Bills head coach, who now works as an ESPN analyst, allegedly ran over both pedestrians’ feet and struck one person’s leg. Police described their injuries as minor.
Ryan, 63, allegedly running over the victims’ feet is certainly ironic, as the former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator has been famously open about his affinity for feet after a private video of him and his wife leaked.
Former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan has turned himself in to Nashville police in connection with a motor vehicle incident
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the incident happened shortly before midnight Thursday, November 5, at Fourth Avenue and Broadway.
The pedestrians were crossing Broadway with a walk signal when Ryan’s pickup turned right from Fourth Avenue and struck them, police said.
The pedestrians told investigators that the truck continued before stopping at a red light at Broadway and Representative John Lewis Way. They waved down the driver, whom police identified as Ryan.
According to their account, Ryan got out of the truck and argued with them before returning to the vehicle and driving away. The pedestrians photographed the driver and the truck’s license plate. Police said the vehicle was registered to Ryan.
Ryan faces two counts each of leaving the scene of an accident, failing to give information or render aid, and failing to obey a traffic control signal.
A judicial commissioner set his bond at $6,000. According to the Associated Press, Ryan qualified for release on nonfinancial conditions and was subsequently released.
ESPN acknowledged the case in a brief statement, saying simply: “We are aware and are in touch with Rex.”
Ryan coached the Jets from 2009 through 2014, leading them to consecutive AFC Championship Games following the 2009 and 2010 seasons. He subsequently coached the Bills during the 2015 and 2016 seasons before moving into broadcasting.
He is scheduled to appear in court in December.