Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was involved in a late-night altercation with a 69-year-old truck driver in a downtown Indianapolis alley. The incident resulted in Sanchez being pepper-sprayed and stabbed multiple times, leading to criminal charges against him, as per court records filed on Sunday.
According to a police affidavit, the altercation occurred early Saturday after Sanchez, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, confronted the driver of a box truck at a hotel’s loading docks. The confrontation escalated, prompting the driver to defensively draw a knife, resulting in Sanchez sustaining stab wounds to his upper right torso, while the driver had a cut on his left cheek.
Sanchez, who was hospitalized and reported to be in stable condition, was scheduled for an initial court hearing on Tuesday in Marion County. Charges against him included battery resulting in injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication, all categorized as misdemeanors.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears stated that his office would thoroughly investigate the incident and uphold the law. Mears emphasized that the disagreement between Sanchez and the older man should not have turned violent and left anyone seriously harmed.
Sanchez, in Indianapolis for a sports broadcasting assignment, had to be replaced in a scheduled game commentary due to the altercation. Fox Sports, where Sanchez worked as an analyst, expressed support for him and all parties involved in the incident.
The altercation details, captured on video footage and recounted by the truck driver, revealed a physical confrontation between Sanchez and the driver near the truck. The driver, feeling threatened, used pepper spray on Sanchez, who continued to advance towards him. Subsequently, the driver resorted to using a knife in self-defense, leading to the stabbing incidents.
Mark Sanchez, a former NFL player who retired in 2019 after a decade-long career, had transitioned into a sports analyst role with Fox Sports in 2021. The incident involving Sanchez and the truck driver is under legal scrutiny to determine the appropriate course of action.
Sanchez, a California native and former USC standout, is married to actor Perry Mattfeld, with whom he shares twin daughters born in March.