UFL Coach Ted Ginn Jr. Charged with DWI Ahead of Texas Game: 'I Made a Serious Mistake'

Ted Ginn Jr. on April 3, 2026
Credit: Ben Jackson/UFL/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Ted Ginn Jr., a former NFL wide receiver and the current head coach of the Columbus Aviators, was arrested and charged with DWI
• Ginn, 41, was arrested in Tarrant County, Texas, on Saturday, April 11
• "I made a serious mistake and take full responsibility for my actions. I’ve always believed in accountability, and now it’s my turn to live that standard," the UFL coach wrote of his arrest on X

Ted Ginn Jr., a former NFL wide receiver and the current head coach of the Columbus Aviators, was arrested and charged with DWI in Texas.

According to Yahoo Sports, WSYX and NBC Sports, Ginn, 41, was arrested for alleged DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) in Tarrant County, Texas, on Saturday, April 11 — just one day before the Aviators were set to take on the Dallas Renegades.

Police told WSYX that the United Football League (UFL) head coach was stopped by police at around 1:00 a.m. local time for allegedly failing to yield on a turn and that he later failed a field sobriety test. Ginn was released on $1,000 bond.

Ted Ginn Jr. on April 3, 2026
Credit: Jason Mowry/UFL/Getty

On Sunday, April 12, Ginn issued an apology for the incident on social media.

"I made a serious mistake and take full responsibility for my actions. I’ve always believed in accountability and now it’s my turn to live that standard," he wrote on X. "I understand the responsibility that comes with being a leader & role model, and falling short of this is not something I take lightly. I’m committed to learning from this, making better decisions, and earning back the trust of my players, our organization, and the fans."

"I appreciate the support of my family and the United Football League, and I respect the process as it moves forward," he continued. "My focus now is on taking the necessary steps to grow from this and represent the Columbus Aviators and this community the right way."

Ginn was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft after his college years at Ohio State. He played for six teams throughout his 14-year NFL career, including the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears.

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The Aviators — who lost to the Renegades, 28-23, on Sunday — announced after Ginn's arrest that offensive coordinator Todd Haley would handle head coaching duties for the team, per Yahoo Sports.

"We are aware of an incident involving Head Coach Ted Ginn Jr. over the weekend and are in the process of gathering more information," UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon told WSYX in a written statement on Saturday. "Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley will handle the head coaching duties for the Aviators game on Sunday."

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