Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was involved in a late-night altercation with a 69-year-old truck driver in an Indianapolis alley. The incident led to criminal charges against Sanchez, who was pepper-sprayed and stabbed multiple times, court records revealed on Sunday.
According to a police affidavit based on hotel video footage and the driver’s statement, Sanchez, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, confronted the driver after a box truck backed into a hotel’s loading docks. The confrontation escalated outside the vehicle, resulting in Sanchez being hospitalized with stab wounds to his upper right torso. The driver sustained a cut to his left cheek.
Sanchez, who was in Indianapolis for a game, was charged with battery resulting in injury, unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication, all classified as misdemeanors. The altercation led to an initial court hearing scheduled for Tuesday in Marion County.
Prosecutor Ryan Mears emphasized the need to investigate the incident thoroughly, stating that violence should have been avoided in what started as a disagreement between the two individuals.
Sanchez, who had a 10-year NFL career before retiring in 2019, was with Fox Sports as an analyst. He was absent from his duties following the altercation. His colleagues at Fox Sports expressed their concern and offered thoughts and prayers for Sanchez and everyone involved in the incident.
The police report detailed that Sanchez was found with stab wounds when officers responded to a downtown pub early Saturday. The video evidence showed Sanchez approaching the truck and engaging with the driver, who works for a company specializing in commercial cooking oil recycling.
The affidavit outlined the events, including Sanchez allegedly throwing the driver to the ground and attempting to enter the truck despite being told he was not allowed. The driver resorted to pepper spray and a knife in self-defense as the situation escalated.
Sanchez, known for his NFL career with teams like the Jets, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Washington, has been married to actor Perry Mattfeld. The couple recently welcomed twin daughters in March.