ESPN's Rex Ryan charged after alleged hit-and-run with pedestrians -

Updated Nov. 11, 2026, 9:54 p.m. ET

Rex Ryan, a former NFL coach and current ESPN analyst, has been charged after allegedly driving away following an argument with pedestrians he allegedly hit with his truck.

Ryan was booked in the Davidson County Jail on misdemeanor charges. He surrendered Wednesday, Nov. 11, Metro Nashville Police said in a statement obtained by The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.

What did Rex Ryan do, according to police?

The pedestrians, who had a walk sign at the time, were crossing a street when a truck turned and ran over both victims’ feet and one of their legs, the police statement said.

“The pedestrians said the vehicle kept going, but stopped for the red light at Broadway and Representative John Lewis Way where they waved down the driver,” police said. “They said he stepped out of the truck to argue with them, got back in, and drove away.”

The pedestrians took a picture of the truck’s license plate, which police said is registered to Ryan, as well as the driver, who police allege was Ryan.

“We are aware and are in touch with Rex,” ESPN said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports.

Ryan is charged with 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. His bond was set at $6,000.

Rex Ryan coaching history

The son of legendary defensive coach Buddy Ryan, Rex Ryan has been in coaching for decades. Ryan was an assistant with the Baltimore Ravens during their Super Bowl 35 victory after the 2000 season and he eventually became defensive coordinator.

Ryan’s first head-coaching gig came with the New York Jets from 2009-2014. He led the team to back-to-back AFC championship games in his first two seasons but was never able to recapture that early success. After the Jets fired him, he coached the Buffalo Bills for two seasons (2014-15).