Rex Ryan surrendered to Nashville police on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, after allegedly running over two pedestrians’ feet with his pickup truck. He faces six misdemeanor charges rather than felony counts, making serious or extended jail time unlikely.
Still, the arrest has brought an old subject back into the conversation: the long-running jokes about Ryan’s alleged foot fetish. His former ESPN colleague Robert Griffin III couldn’t resist getting in on them, either.
Robert Griffin III Takes a Dig at Ex-Jets HC Rex Ryan
Reacting to TMZ’s post about Ryan’s arrest, which said he was accused of hitting two pedestrians and running over their feet, Griffin wrote, “He does have a thing for feet.”
He does have a thing for feet
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) November 11, 2026
The joke was a reference to the foot-related stories that have followed Ryan since his days coaching the New York Jets.
It all dates back to December 2010, when sports website Deadspin published a series of foot-fetish videos that quickly became a national sports story. Reports at the time focused on videos featuring a woman who resembled Ryan’s wife, Michelle, and an off-camera voice that sounded like the coach.
Ryan declined to discuss the reports in detail, calling the subject “a personal matter.”
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Griffin wasn’t the only sports-media personality to make a foot-related joke following Ryan’s arrest. Several others joined in, bringing the old stories back into the conversation.
Ryan’s own remark of “listen, I’m a toe expert” has also resurfaced. He made the comment during a December 2021 episode of ESPN’s morning show “Get Up.”
What Police Have Said About Ryan’s Arrest
The incident that led to Ryan’s arrest happened shortly before midnight on Nov. 5 at Fourth Avenue and Broadway in Nashville.
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, two pedestrians were crossing with a walk signal when Ryan’s pickup truck turned right. Police allege the truck ran over both pedestrians’ feet and struck one person’s leg. Their injuries were described as minor.
The pedestrians told police the truck continued down the road before stopping at another red light. They then waved down the driver, who they said got out, argued with them, and drove away. The pedestrians managed to photograph the driver and the license plate.
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Ryan, 63, surrendered Wednesday on six misdemeanor warrants. He faces two counts each of leaving the scene of an accident, failing to provide information or render aid, and failing to obey a traffic control signal.
His attorney, David Raybin, told The Associated Press that Ryan surrendered after learning about the charges and had cooperated with authorities.
“Because we just received the warrant today, we currently have limited information regarding the allegations,” Raybin said.
A judicial commissioner set bond at $6,000, but Ryan qualified for release under nonfinancial pretrial conditions, according to the AP. He is scheduled to appear in court next month.
ESPN also acknowledged the situation, saying, “We are aware and are in touch with Rex.”
