Rex Ryan apparently may now have a love-hate relationship with feet after the former NFL coach was arrested for allegedly hitting two people with his truck.
Ryan, the fiery former head coach of the Jets and Bills, turned himself in on Wednesday “on six outstanding misdemeanor warrants” after he was accused of “striking two pedestrians with his pickup truck.”
The 63-year-old allegedly ran over two people’s feet — roughly 16 years after the viral controversy over foot fetish videos during his time in New York.
Why was Rex Ryan arrested?
According to local police in Nashville, Tenn., Ryan was driving his truck late on the night of Nov. 5 when he allegedly struck two pedestrians, running over their feet in the process.
“The pedestrians were crossing Broadway from 4th Avenue with a walk sign when the pickup truck turned right from 4th Avenue running over both victims’ feet and making contact with one of the individual’s legs,” the Metropolitan Nashville PD 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 (Ryan). They said he stepped out of the truck to argue with them, got back in, and drove away.
“They took pictures of the truck’s license plate (registered to Ryan) and the driver.”
Ryan reportedly faces six misdemeanor charges, including leaving the scene of an accident, failing to provide information or aid, and failing to obey traffic signals.
Does Rex Ryan have a foot fetish?
In 2010, video footage released by Deadspin featured a woman showing her feet while the man filming -— whose voice sounded similar to Ryan — talks to her.
When Ryan was asked whether he or his wife, Michelle, posted foot-fetish videos, the then-Jets head coach didn’t confirm or deny the report by the online outlet.
“To be honest, and I get it, I know you need to ask and all that stuff,” Ryan told reporters when asked if the situation could become a distraction. “But it’s a personal matter and I’m really not going to discuss it, OK?”
He served as the Jets head coach from 2009 to 2014, posting a record of 46-50 while leading Gang Green to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons.
Ryan was then hired to coach the Buffalo Bills in 2015, going 8-8 and the 7-8 the following season before being fired with one game remaining.
Ryan, who has become a regular member of ESPN’s team for NFL broadcasts, occasionally has made light of the incident in subsequent appearances and interviews.