Rex Ryan Arrested in Nashville Over Hit-and-Run That Injured Two Pedestrians
Former NFL head coach and ESPN analyst Rex Ryan was arrested in Nashville on Wednesday 11 November 2026, after surrendering to police on six misdemeanor warrants linked to a hit-and-run that injured two pedestrians. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said the 63-year-old turned himself in on outstanding warrants tied to an incident on the city’s Broadway strip six days earlier.
Rex Ryan arrest at a glance
| Arrest date | Wednesday 11 November 2026 |
| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Incident date | shortly before midnight, Thursday 5 November 2026 |
| Incident location | 4th Avenue and Broadway, downtown Nashville |
| Victims | two pedestrians, minor injuries |
| Charges | six misdemeanors (two counts each: leaving the scene; failure to give information or render aid; failure to obey a traffic control signal) |
| Bond | $6,000 |
| First court hearing | 18 December 2026, 8:30am |
| Ryan’s role | ESPN NFL analyst; former Jets and Bills head coach |
What police say happened on Broadway
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Ryan was driving a pickup truck late on 5 November when he turned right from 4th Avenue onto Broadway. Two pedestrians were crossing Broadway with a walk signal at the time. Police said the truck ran over both victims’ feet and made contact with one person’s leg, causing minor injuries. The department said Ryan left the scene. Warrants for his arrest were later issued, and on Wednesday morning he turned himself in to authorities. He was booked into the Davidson County Jail and released on a $6,000 bond early on Wednesday morning, according to jail records.
The six charges Ryan faces
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 are misdemeanors. Court records show he is due for his first hearing in the case on 18 December. His attorney, David Raybin, said Ryan surrendered immediately after learning about the charges. The charges remain allegations, and Ryan is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
ESPN responds as Ryan’s broadcasting future hangs in the balance
ESPN, Ryan’s employer since 2017, issued a brief statement after the arrest was announced, saying: “We are aware and are in touch with Rex.” The network did not say whether his role on its NFL programming would change. Ryan currently works as an analyst on ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” show, and appeared on the network’s NFL programming over the weekend following the incident, before the arrest was made public.
From the Jets sideline to the ESPN studio
Ryan compiled a 61–66 record as a head coach, leading the New York Jets from 2009 to 2014 and the Buffalo Bills in 2015 and 2016. He is the son of former coach Buddy Ryan, and began his NFL coaching career as a defensive and special teams assistant with the Arizona Cardinals in 1994–95 under his father. He joined ESPN in 2017 and became one of the network’s most recognisable NFL voices. The arrest now places that broadcasting career under fresh scrutiny, with the case set to proceed through the Nashville courts in December.
Your questions on the Rex Ryan arrest, answered
Why was Rex Ryan arrested?
Ryan surrendered on 11 Nov 2026 on six misdemeanor warrants linked to a 5 Nov incident in which his pickup truck allegedly struck two pedestrians on Broadway, running over their feet.
What charges does he face?
Two counts each of leaving the scene, failure to give information or render aid, failure to obey a traffic control signal.
Were the pedestrians seriously injured?
Minor injuries; truck ran over their feet and made contact with one person’s leg.
When is he due in court?
First hearing 18 December 2026 at 8:30am.
What has ESPN said?
“We are aware and are in touch with Rex.” No change to his analyst role announced.
