Former NFL quarterback-turned-broadcaster Mark Sanchez was booked into the Marion County jail on Sunday after being released from the hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sanchez briefly spoke to reporters after he was fingerprinted and had his mugshot taken.
Why was Mark Sanchez booked into jail?
Police arrested Sanchez on Oct. 5 following a violent altercation with a truck driver early that morning in an alley outside a downtown Indianapolis hotel. The broadcaster is recovering from stab wounds suffered in the attack, which authorities say the former quarterback instigated. Sanchez was discharged from the hospital one week after being admitted. He immediately went to jail with his lawyer to be processed. The 38-year-old, with his arm in a sling, stopped for reporters after leaving jail, but did not answer specific questions.
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“I’m just focused on my recovery, and I just want to thank the first responders, Eskenazi Hospital, [the] Marion County Sheriff and the Indianapolis Police Department, Metro PD,” Sanchez said. “I’m focused on my recovery, and I just want to see my wife, I want to see my son, my two baby girls. There’ll be a day to answer all these questions, and unfortunately, today is not that day.”
When asked if he wanted to say anything to 69-year-old truck driver Perry Tole, who suffered multiple injuries in the attack, Sanchez once again thanked his doctors.
“I guess the real thing here is I just want to thank Dr. Mosler, the surgeon. She saved my life,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez was initially charged with three misdemeanors, but Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears upgraded the charges on Oct. 6 after an amended probable cause affidavit was filed. The Level 5 felony charge of battery resulting in serious injury carries a maximum sentence of between one and six years in prison.
What led to the altercation on Oct. 5?
TMZ obtained surveillance video that shows Sanchez aimlessly walking, and occasionally stumbling, around the city just past midnight before the altercation. Mears said last week that the attack never needed to happen.
“We are literally talking about people fighting over a parking space,” Mears said. “Or a dispute about where people are parking, and it resulted in someone receiving just incredibly significant injuries, where this incident took place was an area of the city which was very well covered by surveillance footage.”
Sanchez pleaded not guilty and was allowed to leave Indiana. His first court appearance is on Nov. 5. The truck driver, 69-year-old Perry Tole, sued Sanchez and Fox Sports in civil court, alleging assault/battery and negligent hiring, retention and supervision. The lawsuit does not seek specific damages but requests that the monetary amount be determined at trial.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound Sanchez was the New York Jets’ first-round draft pick in 2009. He retired from the NFL after eight seasons with several teams, including the Jets, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders. Sanchez became a Fox Sports analyst in 2021.
Former NFL player Mark Schlereth replaced Sanchez in the broadcast booth on Sunday. Fox Sports has yet to comment on whether Sanchez will return to his duties this season or if he’ll face any disciplinary action.
