Update: Mark Sanchez is now confronting a felony battery charge following this incident. For the most recent developments, please click here.
Former NFL quarterback and current Fox Sports commentator, Mark Sanchez, found himself under arrest on Saturday after an altercation outside an Indianapolis hotel led to him being stabbed by a truck driver, court documents reveal.
Police confirmed that Sanchez was taken into custody at a hospital on Saturday. He faces misdemeanor charges including battery resulting in injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, and public intoxication.
According to charging documents filed Sunday in Marion County Court, Sanchez was reportedly intoxicated when he approached a truck driver in the loading dock area of the Westin Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.
Authorities stated that the 69-year-old truck driver, who was wearing hearing aids, had arrived early Saturday morning to collect and recycle the hotel’s used frying oil.
Court documents indicate that Sanchez confronted the driver at the loading dock, alleging he lacked authorization to be on the premises and that the hotel had no intention of having its fryer oil replaced.
The driver, who informed police he wasn’t wearing his hearing aids during the incident, became disoriented and told Sanchez he needed to contact his manager. He further noted that the 38-year-old Sanchez exhibited signs of intoxication, including a strong smell of alcohol and slurred speech.
Subsequently, Sanchez reportedly tried to enter the truck’s cab, prevented the driver from accessing his cellphone, and then pushed him. Fearing for his safety, the driver, who did not recognize Sanchez, used pepper spray, according to court records.
However, Sanchez simply wiped his face and continued to approach, the driver recounted to police.
Police records state the driver’s thought at that moment: “This guy is trying to kill me.”
In a desperate act of self-defense, the driver pulled out a knife and stabbed Sanchez, who then fled the scene.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the scene around 12:30 a.m. Saturday, and both the driver and Sanchez were transported to different hospitals for treatment.
As of Saturday, representatives for Sanchez had not issued a statement, and Fox Sports also declined to comment on his arrest that evening.
Prior to his arrest, Fox Sports had posted on social media, expressing gratitude to the medical team for treating Sanchez and confirming his stable condition.
Sanchez, a standout from the University of Southern California, was the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft. He spent five seasons with the New York Jets, leading them to the playoffs twice, though he sat out the entire 2013 season due to injury.
His NFL career spanned a decade, including stints with the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington Redskins. Following his retirement in 2019, he transitioned into a role as a football analyst.
Sanchez was in Indianapolis as part of his duties as a network analyst, slated to broadcast the Las Vegas Raiders versus Indianapolis Colts game on Sunday afternoon.
He was scheduled to co-commentate Sunday’s game alongside fellow Fox Sports sportscaster Chris Myers.
Additional reporting was provided by Ali Watkins.