Ex-NFL player Mark Sanchez faces three misdemeanor charges following an incident that left him hospitalized after being stabbed in Indianapolis.
Sanchez, who spent nine seasons as an NFL quarterback and is now a Fox TV analyst, sustained critical injuries after a dispute with a food delivery truck driver turned violent in the early hours of Saturday.
However, in a shocking turn of events, the 38-year-old was arrested in his hospital bed by Indianapolis police.
An initial hearing has been scheduled for 8:30am ET with bond set for $300.
‘This incident was entirely avoidable,’ stated Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears on Sunday. ‘A disagreement between a 38-year-old ex-professional athlete and a 69-year-old should not have resulted in violence or serious injury. As in any case, we will follow the facts and adhere to the law.’
Former NFL star Mark Sanchez has been charged with three misdemeanors
The altercation, which led to Sanchez being stabbed in the chest, occurred with a delivery driver at Loughmiller’s Pub & Eatery in downtown Indianapolis (pictured).
According to an affidavit obtained by ESPN, Sanchez allegedly confronted the truck driver at a loading dock in downtown Indianapolis, making the driver feel endangered.
As the confrontation escalated, the truck driver, out of fear, is said to have sprayed Sanchez in the face with pepper spray.
Sanchez reportedly continued to approach, prompting the driver, who feared for his life, to use a knife, injuring him ‘two or three times.’
The truck driver said he was then thrown against a dumpster, leaving him to believe he was in a ‘life-or-death situation,’ before a ‘look of shock’ came over Sanchez’s face and he took off.
Sanchez reportedly told a police officer that ‘all he could remember was grabbing for a window.’ He added that he didn’t know who stabbed him or where the incident occurred.
He is said to have sustained multiple stab wounds to his right torso. The driver also suffered a laceration on his left cheek and was taken to a different hospital than Sanchez for treatment.
Fox Sports presenter Charissa Thompson addressed the incident during the network’s NFL Kickoff program on Sunday but did not acknowledge the charges filed against her colleague.
‘Friday night in Indianapolis, one of our team members, Mark Sanchez, was involved in an incident that we are still trying to wrap our heads around,’ the sportscaster said.
Sanchez, who is married to actress Perry Mattfield, is now recovering in a stable condition
Sanchez allegedly accosted the truck driver, who believed he was in danger, at a loading dock
‘At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, his family, and all of those involved.’
Sanchez had traveled the Midwest city to call Sunday’s Colts-Raiders game for Fox Sports but will now not perform his broadcasting duties.
According to Front Office Sports , Sanchez will be replaced in the booth by another ex-quarterback, former Notre Dame star Brady Quinn. Quinn’s play-by-play partner for the game will be Chris Myers.
Fox Sports PR said Saturday in a statement: ‘Mark Sanchez was injured in Indianapolis on Saturday and is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition. We are deeply grateful to the medical team for their exceptional care and support.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark, and we ask that everyone please respect his and his family’s privacy during this time.
Indianapolis police said on Saturday that they were investigating an altercation between two men that took place at around 12:30am.
In response to the events, Chief Chris Bailey of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said: ‘Proud of our IMPD officers and detectives who stayed focused on our mission and not the noise.
‘Their professionalism represents the best of our department. IMPD will continue to be a steady, reliable presence in our city because our community deserves nothing less.’
The former New York Jets star was set to call the Colts-Raiders game on Sunday for Fox Sports
Mark and his wife Perry have twins together, while he also has an eight-year-old son, Daniel (center), from a previous relationship
Sanchez is married to American actress Perry Mattfeld, and the couple have two children together after Perry gave birth to twins in March. Sanchez also has an eight-year-old son, Daniel, from one of his previous relationships.
The former quarterback played 10 seasons in the NFL, including four with the Jets after they selected him with the fifth overall pick in 2009.
He later spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dallas Cowboys, the then-Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bears as a backup.
