Former NFL coach and ESPN analyst Rex Ryan was arrested on Wednesday after a hit-and-run incident in downtown Nashville left two pedestrians with minor injuries. Nashville police reported that Ryan turned on a red light last week and ran over the feet of two people who were crossing a main street in the city’s busy tourist area. The pedestrians had the right of way at the time.
Ryan turned himself in to authorities on Wednesday and now faces six misdemeanor charges. These include 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, according to court records. His bond was set at $6,000 by a judicial commissioner, but Ryan was released on non-financial conditions after qualifying for pretrial release. He is due to appear in court next month.
The incident is a rare legal issue for Ryan, who has not coached since the end of the 2016 NFL season. Since then, he has become a familiar face on ESPN as an analyst, appearing regularly on the network’s NFL pregame show. He was on the Sunday pregame broadcast and Monday morning show this week, both of which are filmed in New York. ESPN released a statement saying, “We are aware and are in touch with Rex.” A source from ESPN told The Independent that no decision has been made about any disciplinary action while the network continues to gather information.
Ryan’s coaching career included head coach positions with the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. With the Jets, he led the team to the AFC Championship Game in consecutive seasons following 2009 and 2010. His outspoken and brash style in news conferences made him a popular figure during his early years with the Jets. After being fired by the Bills with one game left in the 2016 season, Ryan has expressed interest in returning to coaching. He interviewed for the Jets’ head coaching job in 2025, a position that eventually went to Aaron Glenn.
Rex Ryan’s family has strong NFL connections. His late father, Buddy Ryan, was a defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears’ 1985 team, which is often considered one of the best defenses in NFL history. Rex’s son, Seth Ryan, is currently in his first season as the Jets’ passing game coordinator.
The Nashville police have not released further details about the circumstances of the crash or the condition of the pedestrians beyond confirming their injuries were minor. Ryan’s court appearance remains scheduled for next month. ESPN’s response indicates the network is taking the matter seriously but is still assessing the situation.
According to Yahoo Sports.