Ex-NHLer Bobby Ryan arrested for public intoxication at airport

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Ex-Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan was arrested after an alleged public intoxication incident at the Nashville airport.

According to an arrest warrant obtained by ScoopNashville.com, Ryan had allegedly shoplifted items from a store at Nashville International Airport. Surveillance footage showed the former hockey player abandoning the stolen items and entering a bar.

Cops were notified, and later found an intoxicated Ryan sitting at the bar reportedly waiting for a drink he ordered.

Cops say Ryan showed signs of intoxication and was non-compliant with them. They said Ryan couldn’t tell them the date and time or where he was and struggled to stand.

TMZ Sports reported Ryan was taken into custody for public intoxication and later dismissed. All charges were subsequently dropped.

On Wednesday, Ryan took to Twitter to talk about the ordeal. He thanked people for their support and talked about relapsing.

“Today is day 1 (again). Mostly embarrassed, but I shouldn’t be. Today I’m waking up and choosing better,” Ryan tweeted.

“Every now and again you’re reminded exactly why social media exists and today is such a good reason. Thank you guys all from the bottom of my heart. I hate that I’m here, but it’s where I am and I’ll own that.

“If you’re going to really relapse … you might as well have to travel the next day as well. I hate this, never again.”

Ryan played more than 860 games in the NHL as a member of the Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks and Detroit Red Wings.

According to Yahoo! Sports, Ryan briefly left the Senators in November 2019 to enter the NHLPA’s player assistance program to seek help with alcohol abuse.