Indianapolis (AP) — Former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez was pepper-sprayed and stabbed multiple times during a late-night altercation with a 69-year-old truck driver in a downtown Indianapolis alley. The incident has led to criminal charges against Sanchez, as revealed in court records filed Sunday.
According to a police affidavit, corroborated by hotel video footage, Sanchez, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, confronted the driver as he backed his box truck into a hotel loading dock. Tensions escalated quickly, resulting in the driver pulling out a knife in defense.
Sanchez suffered stab wounds to his upper torso and was hospitalized. He remains in stable condition and is expected to have his initial court hearing on Tuesday in Marion County.
Police reports indicate that Sanchez initially approached the driver, expressing that he had spoken to the hotel manager and that the driver shouldn’t be at the loading dock. Reports state that the driver described Sanchez’s speech as slurred and noted his smell of alcohol. After a heated exchange and physical struggle, which included Sanchez throwing the driver to the ground, the situation turned violent.
In his defense, the driver used pepper spray on Sanchez when he felt threatened, but Sanchez continued to advance, prompting the driver to use his knife.
This altercation has raised concerns about escalating violence, prompting local prosecutor Ryan Mears to comment on the unacceptable nature of what transpired between a former athlete and an elderly man.
Sanchez, who played 10 seasons in the NFL before retiring in 2019, joined Fox Sports as an analyst in 2021 and was in Indianapolis to commentate on the upcoming Raiders-Colts game when this incident occurred. His absence from the broadcast was acknowledged by colleagues on air as they expressed their thoughts and prayers for his recovery.
According to a police affidavit, corroborated by hotel video footage, Sanchez, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, confronted the driver as he backed his box truck into a hotel loading dock. Tensions escalated quickly, resulting in the driver pulling out a knife in defense.
Sanchez suffered stab wounds to his upper torso and was hospitalized. He remains in stable condition and is expected to have his initial court hearing on Tuesday in Marion County.
Police reports indicate that Sanchez initially approached the driver, expressing that he had spoken to the hotel manager and that the driver shouldn’t be at the loading dock. Reports state that the driver described Sanchez’s speech as slurred and noted his smell of alcohol. After a heated exchange and physical struggle, which included Sanchez throwing the driver to the ground, the situation turned violent.
In his defense, the driver used pepper spray on Sanchez when he felt threatened, but Sanchez continued to advance, prompting the driver to use his knife.
This altercation has raised concerns about escalating violence, prompting local prosecutor Ryan Mears to comment on the unacceptable nature of what transpired between a former athlete and an elderly man.
Sanchez, who played 10 seasons in the NFL before retiring in 2019, joined Fox Sports as an analyst in 2021 and was in Indianapolis to commentate on the upcoming Raiders-Colts game when this incident occurred. His absence from the broadcast was acknowledged by colleagues on air as they expressed their thoughts and prayers for his recovery.
